New Chandigarh: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came agonisingly close to rewriting another piece of Indian Premier League history but fell three runs short of surpassing Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest century. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener was dismissed for a breathtaking 97 off 29 balls during the IPL 2026 Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, ending what could have been one of the most iconic knocks in T20 history.

Speaking after the match, the young batter revealed that while the record was in the back of his mind, he chose to prioritise playing freely over chasing milestones. His explanation offered a glimpse into the mindset that has made him one of the most talked-about cricketers this season.

‘I tried to hit straight’: Sooryavanshi explains dismissal

Reflecting on the crucial moment, Sooryavanshi admitted that his shot selection led to his dismissal at a decisive stage. Facing pacer Praful Hinge, the teenager attempted an aggressive stroke but mistimed it, resulting in a catch at deep third.

“I had it in my mind, but my coaches told me to play freely and not take pressure,” he said after the match. “I wasn’t really thinking about the century. I played the shot after looking at the fielder. If I had gone towards third man, it would have cleared easily. But I tried to hit it straight, and that’s why I missed it.”

His candid admission highlighted both his confidence and his willingness to learn — rare traits for a player so young performing on such a big stage.

Explosive innings lights up eliminator clash

Sooryavanshi’s innings was the cornerstone of Rajasthan Royals’ imposing total of 243 for 8. He began aggressively, dismantling the bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, who initially deployed defensive field placements to contain the teenager’s scoring.

Despite early caution from the opposition, Sooryavanshi quickly found his rhythm. He smashed a six over mid-off off an overpitched delivery, setting the tone for what followed. Bowlers like Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain were taken apart as the youngster unleashed a barrage of boundaries.

He reached his half-century in just 16 balls, equalling Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoff history. By the end of the fourth over, Sooryavanshi had already scored 36 runs off just 10 balls, propelling Rajasthan Royals to 63 without loss.

Support cast and middle-order acceleration

At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal played a subdued but important role, scoring 19 off 16 balls while allowing Sooryavanshi to dominate the strike. The partnership ensured a strong platform for the innings.

After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal at 125 for 1 in eight overs, the momentum was carried forward by Dhruv Jurel, who launched an aggressive counterattack. Jurel reached his half-century in just 20 balls, taking apart Cummins and Shivang Kumar with innovative strokeplay.

Later contributions from Riyan Parag and Dasun Shanaka kept the scoreboard ticking, while a late cameo from Donovan Ferreira alongside Ravindra Jadeja added valuable runs in the death overs.

SRH bowlers fight back late

Despite being on the back foot for most of the innings, Sunrisers Hyderabad managed a strong finish with disciplined bowling at the death. Nitish Kumar Reddy executed precise wide yorkers to restrict the scoring rate, while Abhishek Sharma pulled off a brilliant boundary catch to dismiss Jofra Archer.

However, the damage inflicted by Sooryavanshi and Jurel ensured that Rajasthan Royals posted one of the highest totals in an IPL knockout match.

A star in the making

Sooryavanshi’s knock once again underlined his extraordinary talent and composure under pressure. With 583 runs in the season and a string of record-breaking performances, he has already emerged as one of the standout players of IPL 2026.

While missing out on the fastest century record by a narrow margin may sting momentarily, cricket experts believe it is only a matter of time before the teenager achieves even greater milestones. His ability to balance aggression with awareness suggests a long and successful career ahead.

Conclusion

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explanation for missing Chris Gayle’s record reflects maturity beyond his years. Rather than being consumed by milestones, the youngster focused on playing his natural game — a mindset that has already yielded remarkable success. Though the record slipped away, his innings will be remembered as one of the finest in IPL playoff history, and a clear indication that Indian cricket has found its next big superstar.