Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi celebrates 50 (AP Photo/Anupam Nath) Rajasthan Royals announced their entry into IPL 2026 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings, powered by a breathtaking innings from teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Royals bowlers set the tone early and restricted CSK to a modest 127 on a rain-restricted pitch.CSK’s batsmen struggled from the start, the home team failed to build any momentum. Royals skipper Riyan Parag’s bowlers took full advantage of the conditions and picked wickets at regular intervals to keep CSK under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, returning to the Royals, struck twice in his opening match, signaling a successful comeback.
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Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner Sooryavanshi, 15, showed his rare talent in full flight, racing to a 15-ball fifty, including a spectacular six over point from New Zealand pacer Matt Henry and several towering sixes from spinner Noor Ahmad. When he was dropped by Kartik Sharma in one penalty, he made CSK pay immediately, turning the match decisively in Rajasthan’s favour. His innings helped the Royals reach 74 in the over, effectively sealing the game.Opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (38* off 36) played a measured role and let Sooryavanshi dominate, while Parag (14* off 11) joined later to complete the chase with ease in 12.1 overs.Market players of ČSK were struggling. Sanju Samson, fresh from India’s T20 World Cup triumph, was trapped by Nandre Burger trying to bowl over mid-wicket, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell while attempting a lofted strike from Jofry Archer. Jamie Overton provided some resistance with 43 off 36 but could not stop the collapse.The Royals’ pace attack, led by Nandre Burger and Archer, complemented Jadeja’s rotation superbly. Brijesh Sharma claimed the wicket of debutant Kartik Sharma, while Archer, Burger and Jadeja finished with two wickets apiece.Both teams, who swapped stars Jadeja and Samson before the season, have started their campaigns in contrasting style – Royals with a win, CSK have a lot to think about after a tough start.
