Andre Russell and Chris Gayle left stunned by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Eliminator – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Stuns IPL: Gayle and Russell Laud 15-Year-Old’s Record Carnage

The Rise of a New T20 Phenom

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur witnessed a masterclass in aggressive batting this Wednesday as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, affectionately dubbed ‘Boss Baby,’ redefined the boundaries of modern T20 cricket. During the IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the 15-year-old showcased a level of maturity and ferocity that defied his tender age, propelling the Rajasthan Royals (RR) into Qualifier 2.

A Powerplay to Remember

Tasked with setting the tone after Pat Cummins elected to bowl first, Sooryavanshi took the challenge head-on. From the very first over, the intent was clear. He launched a six off Cummins, signaling the beginning of an onslaught that would leave the opposition scrambling for answers. By the time the third over concluded, he had struck three consecutive sixes off the SRH captain, followed by three more off Sakib Hussain in the fourth over.

By the end of the powerplay, Sooryavanshi had amassed 60 runs from a mere 20 balls, punctuated by an incredible 8 sixes. Even after the field restrictions were lifted, the carnage continued. He added four more maximums to his tally before finally holing out off Praful Hinge for 97 runs off 29 balls. While he narrowly missed out on eclipsing Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century, the impact of his innings was already cemented in history.

The Legends Weigh In

The sheer magnitude of the performance resonated across the globe, capturing the attention of T20 royalty. Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’ himself, was quick to take to social media, posting screenshots of the broadcast. Gayle lauded the youngster, stating, ‘Carnage @vaibhav_sooryavanshi09, unlucky there, but you will get there eventually’ and hailed him as a ‘new six machine.’

Andre Russell also offered his support, addressing the inevitable chatter surrounding the youngster’s age. Russell remarked: ‘Congratulations, youngster. Haters will say that you are not 15 years old, who cares? 30-year-olds out here trying their best to do what you are doing. Keep going, I’m a big fan. See ball, hit ball.’

Dominance Beyond the Eliminator

The victory was ultimately secured by the RR bowlers. Jofra Archer dismantled the formidable SRH top order—Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan—early in the chase, effectively extinguishing any hopes of a comeback. RR marched to a 47-run victory, with Sooryavanshi’s initial onslaught serving as the cornerstone of their 243-run total.

This performance is no anomaly for the young star. In only his second season, Sooryavanshi has firmly established himself as the premier batter in the tournament. With 680 runs in 15 matches, he currently holds the Orange Cap. His season statistics are staggering: an average of 45.33, a strike rate of 243, four fifties, one century, and a record-breaking 65 sixes. As he heads into Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans, the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see if ‘Boss Baby’ can continue this historic run and lead the Rajasthan Royals to the ultimate prize.