Agency, May 28: Rajasthan Royals kept their IPL 2026 title hopes alive with a dominant 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator at Mullanpur on Wednesday. The win booked Rajasthan’s place in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans.
Batting first, Rajasthan posted a massive 243/8 in 20 overs thanks to a sensational innings from teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The youngster smashed 97 runs off just 29 balls, hitting five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate above 330. Yashasvi Jaiswal added 29, while Dhruv Jurel contributed a quick-fire 50 off 21 deliveries.
Rajasthan dominated the powerplay with 80 runs and built a 125-run opening partnership between Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal. Hyderabad’s bowlers struggled throughout the innings, with Praful Hinge taking three wickets despite conceding heavily.
Chasing 244, Hyderabad suffered an early collapse as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck and Travis Head managed only 17. Ishan Kishan counterattacked with 33 off 11 balls, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 38 and Salil Arora added 35, but the required rate kept climbing.
Jofra Archer starred with the ball for Rajasthan, taking three crucial wickets. Nandre Burger, Ravindra Jadeja and Sushant Mishra chipped in with two wickets each as Hyderabad were bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs.
Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings, which also helped Rajasthan secure a place in the next playoff clash against Gujarat Titans.
