Rajasthan Royals Knock Out SRH To Reach IPL 2026 Qualifier 2

Rajasthan Royals moved one step closer to the IPL 2026 final after overpowering Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

The victory sends RR into Qualifier 2, where they will take on the Gujarat Titans.

Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking display, smashing 97 runs from only 28 balls to put Rajasthan Royals in complete control. His fearless innings laid the foundation for RR’s imposing total of 243/8.

The 15-year-old reached his half-century in merely 16 deliveries, matching Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in an IPL playoff encounter. He also broke Chris Gayle’s record for the highest number of sixes in a single T20 tournament. He, however, missed out on a century after getting dismissed for 97 while attempting another attacking stroke.

Rajasthan began aggressively as Sooryavanshi dominated the Power-play and dismantled the SRH bowling attack.

RR surged to 63 without losing a wicket in four overs. The side crossed the 100-run mark comfortably inside the opening eight overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal played a patient knock of 29 from 29 balls. Dhruv Jurel accelerated the innings with a blistering 50 off 20 deliveries. Riyan Parag added useful runs in the middle order before Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja finished strongly to take RR beyond 240.

Sunrisers Hyderabad endured a disastrous start while chasing 244. Jofra Archer removed Abhishek Sharma with the second delivery of the innings.

Although Ishan Kishan and Travis Head launched a brief counterattack, Archer quickly shifted the momentum back towards Rajasthan.

Kishan struck 33 from 11 balls before falling to Archer, who later dismissed Head with a sharp 150kph delivery. Nandre Burger also contributed with an early wicket as SRH collapsed to 57/4 within the first five overs.

Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy attempted to rebuild the innings with aggressive batting, but Rajasthan Royals maintained pressure throughout the chase. Ravindra Jadeja, Burger and Sushant delivered key breakthroughs to ensure SRH never recovered.

SRH were eventually bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs. Rajasthan Royals secured a comfortable 47-run triumph and a place in Qualifier 2.

Match Summary

Rajasthan Royals: 243/8 in 20 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 97, Dhruv Jurel 50; Praful Hinge 3/54)

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 196 all out in 19.2 overs (Ishan Kishan 38, Nitish Kumar Reddy 35; Jofra Archer 3/58, Ravindra Jadeja 3/21)

Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 47 runs.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Explosive 97 Powers RR To 243 Against SRH In IPL Eliminator