‘It hurts deeply’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shares Rajasthan Royals’ emotional post after IPL 2026 end

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Saturday shared an emotional Instagram story originally posted by Rajasthan Royals after the franchise’s IPL 2026 campaign came to a heartbreaking end. The 15-year-old’s valiant efforts, who scored a magnificent 96 off 47 balls in Qualifier 2, ultimately came in vain as Rajasthan Royals suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans and crashed out of the tournament.Sooryavanshi, who was seen wiping away tears in the dugout after the defeat, once again sent a heartfelt message to Rajasthan Royals after the franchise failed to reach the finals. “Still can’t believe how quickly emotions can change in 20 games. Tonight hurts. It hurts deep. There’s sadness, frustration, disappointment and a lot of things we’ll have to sit with. Credit where it’s due, Shubman Gill and Gujarat Titans were outstanding tonight,” the post read.“To everyone who believed in this young team, stood by us, defended us and cheered for us in all 16 games this season, thank you. We are grateful beyond words. But we are also sorry. We are sorry we couldn’t give you the night you deserved. We are sorry we let you down when it mattered most,” it read.“This one will stay with us. And we’ll carry it until we come back and be better next season,” he continues.Sooryavanshi fell short of a century for the second match in a row but once again showed his class with a 47-ball 96, an innings studded with eight fours and seven sixes at New Chandigarh.His knock fired Rajasthan Royals, who last won the IPL title in 2008, to an impressive 214/6 in 20 overs. In reply, Gujarat Titans chased down the target in 18.4 overs, powered by a century from skipper Shubman Gill, to book their place in the final.Sooryavanshi enjoyed a phenomenal first full IPL season, amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. When Sooryavanshi dismantled the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins during the two-month competition, he only reinforced the belief that he is a rare talent capable of serving Indian cricket for years to come.After receiving endorsements from several former cricketers, including the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara also hinted that the young left-hander is ready for the top level.Sooryavanshi’s performances against world-class bowlers in the IPL is proof that he is more than ready to represent India, Sangakkara said after Rajasthan Royals’ exit.“You never know if someone is ready until they play. And with all that Vaibhav has done against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he is more than ready to take on any challenge you throw at him. And I’m sure it will be very, very soon,” the Sri Lankan said.“He’s very mature, he’s taken on that opening partnership so well for us this season,” he added.