IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Scripts History Becomes First Batter…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (AP Photo) Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced one of the greatest batting exhibitions in IPL history during Eliminator 2026, smashing records at a blistering pace while dismantling Sunrisers Hyderabad with a jaw-dropping 97 off just 29 balls. Representing Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur, the teenage sensation unleashed utter chaos on the flat batting surface, sending even seasoned operators like Pat Cummins flying with fearless strokeplay and incredible power. Sooryavanshi smashed 12 sixes during his explosive innings and repeatedly sent the ball deep into the stands as the SRH bowlers ran out of answers. Cummins himself conceded four sixes to the 15-year-old and finished with forgettable figures of 0 for 64 in four overs. The RR opener narrowly missed out on breaking Chris Gayle’s all-time record for the fastest IPL century after falling to 97, just one hit short of eclipsing Gayle’s iconic 30-ball hundred in 2013. But even without a century, Sooryavanshi rewrote several IPL records during the innings – including one of Gayle’s most iconic milestones. The teenager broke Gayle’s 14-year-old record of sixes in a single IPL season and now stands alone at the top with 65 maximums. Most sixes in an IPL season:
- 65* – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)
- 59 – Chris Gayle (2012)
- 52 – Andre Russell (2019)
He also now holds the record for most overs in a single IPL season, surpassing David Warner’s long-standing mark in 2016. Most powerplay runs in the IPL season:
- 490 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)*
- 467 – David Warner (2016)
- 402 – Travis Head (2024)
The teenager smashed eight sixes in the powerplay during the Eliminator, the most in the first six overs of an IPL innings. Most sixes in overs 1-6 in an IPL innings:
- 8 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs SRH, Eliminator 2026
- 7 – Sanath Jayasuriya vs CSK, 2008
- 7 – Jos Buttler vs DC, 2018
- 7 – Jonny Bairstow vs RCB, 2022
- 7 – Abhishek Sharma vs PBKS, 2026
Sooryavanshi also became the first batsman in IPL history to hit 10 or more sixes three times in a single season. Most Hit 10+ Sixes in an IPL Innings:
- 4 – Chris Gayle
- 4 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi*
- 2 – Abhishek Sharma
- 2 – Find Allen
His 11 plus sixes in the knock-out also set a new record for the most sixes ever hit in an IPL play-off. Most Sixes in an IPL Knockout Innings:
- 11* – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs SRH, 2026
- 10 – Shubman Gill vs MI, 2023
- 9 – Rajat Patidar vs GT, 2026
These innings further boosted his remarkable IPL 2026 numbers, with Sooryavanshi now the highest-scoring uncapped batsman in a single IPL season. Most runs by an uncapped batter in an IPL season:
- 680* – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR, 2026)
- 625 – Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR, 2023)
- 616 – Shaun Marsh (PBKS, 2008)
He also equaled his own record for most sixes by an Indian batsman in a single IPL innings. Most sixes in an IPL innings by an Indian:
- 12 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs SRH, 2026
- 12 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs SRH, 2026 Eliminator
- 11 – Murali Vijay vs RR, 2010
At one stage, Rajasthan looked set for an even bigger total after racing to 180 for 2 in 13 overs, with Sooryavanshi turning the match into a one-man show. His opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal was largely confined to watching from the other end as the teenager hit balls across every part of the ground. For all the records and applause, though, the slow walk back to the pavilion after his release probably summed up the night best. Sooryavanshi knew history was within reach and even after producing one of the greatest IPL innings ever played, the 15-year-old still looked devastated to miss out on something even bigger.