The stage was set for a high-stakes blockbuster as Gujarat Titans (GT) clashed with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Happening on Friday, on the picturesque Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Worldwide Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, this do-or-die encounter promised fireworks.
With a spot within the grand finale on the road, RR gained the toss and elected to set a goal. What adopted within the early exchanges despatched shockwaves via the stadium, however it additionally paved the way in which for a second of pure genius from a younger prodigy that cricket followers shall be speaking about for years to come back.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Kagiso Rabada for a towering straight six with Virat Kohli-like magnificence
Amid the early stress, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a panoramic shot that instantly went viral on social media. Within the 4th over of the innings, going through South African velocity service provider Kagiso Rabada, the younger left-hander channelized his interior maestro.
On the sixth supply of the over (3.6), Rabada unleashed a fierce, back-of-a-length supply on off-stump, clocking a blistering 153 km/h. It was a ball that demanded respect, but Suryavanshi had different concepts. Opening his stance ever so barely, he cleared his entrance leg and offered a textbook vertical bat. Assembly the ball cleanly off the meat of the willow, he lifted it fantastically over the sightscreen for a monstrous 91-meter six.
The audacious stroke immediately evoked recollections of Virat Kohli’s legendary straight six off Haris Rauf on the Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG) in the course of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Commentators and followers alike had been left rubbing their eyes in disbelief because the ball sailed straight into the stands. The spectacular most took Suryavanshi to an unbeaten 27 off simply 14 deliveries, injecting immense perception again into the Rajasthan camp.
Right here’s the video:
THE VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI SHOW 🤩🩷
🎥 The Boy Surprise enjoying fireplace with fireplace 🔥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/eupS8cBPc2#TATAIPL | #Qualifier2 | #TheFinalLeap | #GTvRR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/UFvfez3ORP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2026
Additionally READ: Vaibhav Suryavanshi opens up on Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 title dream ahead of GT clash
RR stabilizes their innings after an early collapse towards GT
Earlier than Suryavanshi’s jaw-dropping cameo took middle stage, the Royals had been staring down the barrel. Gujarat’s star-studded bowling assault, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj, struck virtually instantly. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal fell within the very first over (0.4), dismissed for simply 1 after providing a catch to Prasidh Krishna off Siraj’s bowling.
Issues went from unhealthy to worse within the second over when Dhruv Jurel was caught by GT skipper Shubman Gill off Rabada for 7, leaving RR reeling at a precarious 9 for two in 1.5 overs.
Nevertheless, Suryavanshi discovered an skilled ally in Ravindra Jadeja. Collectively, the duo launched a spectacular counter-attack, shifting the momentum utterly. They stitched collectively a blistering 50-run partnership in simply 21 deliveries, quickly taking Rajasthan to 50 runs in 4.3 overs.
By the point the strategic timeout was referred to as at 7.2 overs, the rating had soared to 80 for two, with each batters matching one another stroke for stroke. Sadly, Jadeja needed to stroll off retired damage at 34 runs resulting from a bodily setback, breaking a superb 82-run partnership. Skipper Riyan Parag contributed a quickfire 11 off 6 balls earlier than falling to Jason Holder, however Dasun Shanaka joined Suryavanshi to anchor the again finish.
Regardless of the early hiccups towards Siraj (1/33) and Rabada (1/21), Rajasthan Royals accomplished an exceptional restoration. They breached the 100-run mark in 8.5 overs, in the end flexing their muscle tissue to publish an imposing 103 for 3 on the midway stage of 10 overs, establishing an exhilarating second half.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: What happens if GT vs RR Qualifier 2 gets washed out due to rain in New Chandigarh?
