New Chandigarh: A visibly emotional Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had to drag himself off the field after falling agonisingly short of breaking Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest century in Indian Premier League history during the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener was dismissed for a sensational 97 off just 29 balls, leaving the packed stadium and millions watching in disbelief.
Having reached 97 in just 28 deliveries, Sooryavanshi needed only three runs off a single ball to surpass Gayle’s iconic 30-ball century record set in 2013. However, what seemed like an inevitable historic moment slipped away in a matter of seconds, ending one of the most electrifying innings ever seen in franchise cricket.
Dramatic dismissal ends record chase
The defining moment came when Sooryavanshi attempted an upper cut off a short and wide delivery from Praful Hinge. The shot, aimed over the third-man region, failed to clear the boundary. Smaran Ravichandran positioned himself perfectly and completed a sharp catch, bringing an abrupt end to the teenager’s remarkable innings.
The immediate aftermath was telling. Sooryavanshi appeared devastated, struggling to leave the field as applause rang around the stadium. Teammates, opposition players, and fans rose to acknowledge the brilliance of the knock, even as the youngster processed the narrow miss.
Eight overs of pure dominance
Before his dismissal, Sooryavanshi had single-handedly dismantled the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack, which included seasoned campaigners like Pat Cummins. His aggressive intent was evident from the outset, as he attacked both pace and spin with fearless strokeplay.
After reaching his half-century in just 16 balls, he continued his assault without hesitation. His onslaught propelled Rajasthan Royals to 80 without loss in the first six overs — the third-highest powerplay total in IPL playoff history. The team crossed the 100-run mark in just 7.2 overs, with Sooryavanshi leading the charge.
In a particularly destructive phase, he hammered boundaries and sixes in quick succession, including a six and two fours (one off a no-ball), racing to 97 at a breathtaking pace. His innings featured 12 sixes and five fours, showcasing a rare blend of timing, power, and fearless intent.
Records continue to tumble
Despite falling short of the century milestone, Sooryavanshi still achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player to hit more than 60 sixes in a single T20 tournament. His tally of 61 sixes surpassed Gayle’s previous record of 59, which had stood unchallenged for 14 years.
The young batter also became the first teenager to score over 600 runs in a T20 tournament before turning 20. His remarkable consistency throughout the season has seen him rewrite multiple records and set new benchmarks for young cricketers.
He now holds the record for the most runs by a teenager in a T20 tournament, overtaking Devdutt Padikkal’s 580-run tally in the 2019–20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Additionally, he has surpassed performances by notable young players such as Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, and Prithvi Shaw.
Rising above global teenage records
Sooryavanshi’s achievements extend beyond Indian cricket. He has overtaken international teenage performers like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Will Smeed, and Gustav McKeon, establishing himself as one of the most prolific young batters in T20 history.
His record-breaking campaign also includes becoming the highest run-scorer by a teenager in a single IPL season, a milestone that underscores his dominance in one of the world’s toughest cricket leagues.
Match context and team changes
Earlier in the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The team made a tactical change by including Praful Hinge in place of Salil Arora.
Rajasthan Royals also adjusted their lineup, bringing in Ravindra Jadeja for Shubham Dubey. The decision paid off as the batting unit delivered a powerful performance, led by Sooryavanshi’s unforgettable innings.
Conclusion
While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi narrowly missed out on breaking Chris Gayle’s fastest IPL century record, his innings will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in the tournament’s history. The image of the young batter walking off, heartbroken yet applauded by all, captured the essence of sport — where glory and disappointment often go hand in hand. At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already proven he belongs on the biggest stage, and his journey promises many more historic moments in the years ahead.