IPL: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes 10 sixes to lead Royals to victory over Super Giants

IPL: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes 10 sixes to lead Royals to victory over Super Giants

At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals produced a high-pressure chase of 221 to defeat Lucknow Super Giants, sealing a crucial result that reshaped the IPL 2026 playoff picture.

Batting first, Lucknow reached 220/5 on the back of a dominant top and middle order effort. Josh Inglis set the tone with a rapid 60 off 29 balls, before Mitchell Marsh anchored the innings with a powerful 96 off 57 deliveries.

Marsh combined in a 64-run stand with Rishabh Pant, who made 35 but struggled for fluency despite the partnership.

Lucknow's innings also featured aggressive intent in the Powerplay, with Jofra Archer coming under sustained attack. Even so, Marsh's late acceleration ensured a commanding total, though it would ultimately go in vain.

Rajasthan's bowling effort was mixed, continuing a season-long issue with Powerplay control. Sandeep Sharma and Sushant Mishra both leaked runs through inconsistent lengths, while Brijesh Sharma also proved expensive. The standout performer was Yash Raj Punja, who returned 2/35 as the most effective bowler.

In response, Rajasthan's chase began explosively through Yashasvi Jaiswal, who struck 43 off a flying start and dominated the Powerplay, including a 23-run over off Akash Singh before being dismissed by him.

The surface at Jaipur played slightly tacky, yet Jaiswal's aggression set the platform.

The chase was then taken over by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who produced a defining innings of 93 from 38 balls. He reached a 23-ball half-century and accelerated relentlessly, missing out on a century but effectively sealing the match.

Dhruv Jurel finished unbeaten on 53, guiding the side home with seven wickets in hand and five balls remaining.

Sooryavanshi's innings propelled him to the top of the Orange Cap standings, while Rajasthan's win lifted them above Punjab Kings in the table, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Lucknow, meanwhile, suffered another defeat where a major batting effort was not enough to secure victory.

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