Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, blasted 97 runs from 29 balls in the IPL eliminator match on May 27, leading Rajasthan Royals to a 243-8 total against Sunrisers Hyderabad [1, 2, 3]. He struck 12 sixes in the innings, bringing his IPL season tally to 65, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous single-season record of 59 sixes set in 2012 [1, 2, 3].

Sooryavanshi reached his half-century off just 16 balls and came close to breaking the fastest IPL century record of 30 balls but was caught out attempting an upper cut at 97 runs [1, 2, 3]. Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for 196 runs in reply, with Jofra Archer taking 3 wickets in 3 overs to restrict their chase [2].

The victory by 47 runs secured Rajasthan Royals a place in the second qualifier against Gujarat Titans on May 29 [2, 3]. The winner of that match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL final scheduled for May 31 [2, 3].

Sooryavanshi has been the IPL’s leading run-scorer this season with 680 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 242.85 [1, 3]. He made history previously in April 2025 by becoming the youngest player to register a T20 century [1, 3].

Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach James Franklin described Sooryavanshi as a "freakish" talent with potentially 25 years of career ahead, praising his ability to dominate bowlers and suggesting he will become even stronger and more mature in his batting [3].

Former England captain Michael Vaughan called him "the best T20 opener in the world" and urged India to select him for the senior national side [1]. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar called Sooryavanshi's innings "nothing short of spectacular" [3]. Legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar said, "What an innings. What a player. That is an innings to remember. An innings to savour." [1]

Sooryavanshi said he focused on contributing to the team and winning trophies rather than individual milestones: "I thought about it [the hundred] after I got out. At that time I was just focusing on contributing as much as I can. Hundreds will come, but the goal is to ensure how we win trophies" [3]. He added, "My focus [today] was on contributing for the team – my focus now is how to win the trophy." [2]

Next month, Sooryavanshi is named in the India A squad for a 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka and is under consideration for India’s senior white-ball tour of England [1].