RR IPL 2026 Review: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s season, play-offs battle and journey ahead for Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: As the dust settles on the IPL 2026 playoffs and attention shifts to Sunday’s grand finale, one name continues to dominate conversations across the cricketing world – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Should Rajasthan Royals focus on improving their middle order for next season?

The Rajasthan Royals teenager may have exited the tournament after losing to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, but he leaves with an enhanced reputation, his stock soaring and the admiration of fans and pundits alike. At just 15, Sooryavanshi wasn’t just the breakout star of the season; he was probably the face of IPL 2026.For Rajasthan Royals, the campaign ended one step short of the finals. Still, considering the twists and turns of their season, reaching qualification 2 was a commendable achievement. RR have shown resilience, rebounding from a mid-season slump and unleashing a generational talent that could shape their future for years to come.The season that belonged to SooryavanshiEvery IPL season produces some memorable stories. IPL 2026 belonged to Sooryavanshi.The teenage opener ended the season with a staggering 776 runs from 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30. He smashed one century and five fifties while redefining the boundaries of fearless batting.Even though GT starters Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan had one match left, Sooryavanshi entered the final weekend as the tournament’s top scorer.What made his numbers even more remarkable was the way they were scored. Pitchers arrived with plans and fielding, but few found the answers. The youngster attacked pace and spin with equal confidence and often changed the course of matches within the Powerplay itself.His season-defining performances came in the playoffs. First came a breathtaking 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, one of the most devastating innings in IPL history. Then, when Rajasthan needed another miracle in Qualifier 2, they hit a magnificent 96 off 47 balls against Gujarat Titans.Both reinforced one thing: Sooryavanshi is performing at a level rarely seen in someone so young.Strong start, dramatic collapse, spirited recoveryThe RR campaign can be divided into three distinct phases.The Royals started out as genuine title contenders, winning their first four games and quickly establishing themselves among the league leaders. Their aggressive batting approach and improved bowling attack have made them one of the most balanced sides in the competition.However, the momentum did not last.A devastating run of six defeats in eight games has pushed them to the brink of relegation. At one stage it looked like RR would squander their great start and miss the playoffs altogether.The most frustrating thing was that even extraordinary individual performances were not enough. During this difficult stretch, Sooryavanshi blasted a stunning 36-ball century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, only to end up on the losing side.With two matches remaining, Rajasthan needed a win in both matches to keep their playoff hopes alive.The pressure was on, but the Royals responded. Sooryavanshi hit 93 against Lucknow Super Giants in a must-win match before the team secured another crucial win over Mumbai Indians. Although the teenager fell short in the competition, Jofra Archer came through with a match-winning all-rounder to secure RR’s place in the play-offs.They eventually finished fourth with eight wins from 14 league games.The playoffs showed the character of the RoyalsQualifying for the play-offs was an achievement in itself considering the position RR found themselves in at the halfway stage of the tournament. But the Royals weren’t done yet.They destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, powered largely by another master class Sooryavanshi. The victory showed the team’s combativeness and ability to perform under pressure.Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans was perhaps the perfect summation of RR’s season. Sooryavanshi produced another outstanding innings, but GT’s superior depth and experience proved decisive in the end.Despite a record-breaking target, RR could not stop the formidable opening pair of Gill and Sudharsan, whose record-breaking partnership took GT to the final.The defeat was disappointing but also highlighted how close Rajasthan Royals are to becoming champions of the championship.Positives: Degree Candidate BasicsOrigin of SooryavanshiThe biggest positive is obvious. Finding a player capable of scoring 776 runs with a strike rate above 230 will change the future of the franchise. RR now have one of the most exciting talents in world cricket and can build their batting unit around him.Archer’s impactJofra Archer delivered exactly what Rajasthan needed from their spears. The fast bowler took 25 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 22.36. Apart from the goals, he provided leadership, breakthroughs at key moments and valuable contributions down the order. His performances were crucial in keeping RR competitive throughout the season.Jurel’s consistencyDhruv Jurel has been quietly enjoying an excellent campaign. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 515 runs from 16 matches at an average of 36.79 and a strike rate of 154.65, accounting for six half-centuries. His ability to steady the innings and step up when needed made him a key member of the batting unit.A never-say-die attitudeMany teams would fold after losing six of eight games midway through the season. Rajasthan does not. They battled, qualified for the playoffs and advanced to Qualifier 2. That resilience should serve them well going forward.Negatives: Areas that need attentionJaiswal’s inconsistent seasonYashasvi Jaiswal produced flashes of brilliance but never reached the heights expected of him. His 427 runs from 16 matches was respectable but RR would want more consistency from a player capable of dominating attacks.Fragile middle and lower orderThe biggest weakness of the RR campaign was the lack of permanent contributions beyond the top order. Donovan Ferreira scored 317 runs, Riyan Parag managed 309 and Ravindra Jadeja added 266. Apart from that, Rajasthan got very little batting support. Too often the party has become heavily dependent on Sooryavanshi and Jurel.Lack of bowling support for ArcherArcher carried much of the bowling burden. Brijesh Sharma and Nandre Burger took 14 wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi and Jadeja finished with 11 and 10 respectively. These figures are useful but not enough for a title-targeting side. RR lacked a second strike bowler capable of consistently sharing the workload with Archer.What next for Rajasthan Royals?Despite the heartbreak of missing the final, Rajasthan Royals should consider IPL 2026 as a step forward.The priority ahead of next season will be to strengthen the middle order and find another fast bowler to partner Archer. More batting depth would reduce the reliance on Sooryavanshi, while a stronger pace attack would make the bowling unit more threatening in pressure situations.Most importantly, RR have discovered a player around whom an era can be built.The Royals may not have achieved the summit clash, but IPL 2026 will be remembered as the season when the 15-year-old phenom captured the imagination of cricket fans across the globe. If RR can address a few key weaknesses, Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise could become the bedrock of a winning campaign in 2027.