Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – IPL 2026: Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for RR vs SRH Eliminator

The High-Stakes IPL 2026 Eliminator

The stage is set for an epic showdown at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The Rajasthan Royals (RR), who finished fourth on the IPL 2026 points table, are scheduled to lock horns with the third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a do-or-die Eliminator clash on Tuesday. With the stakes higher than ever, former Indian captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has shared his expert insights, backing Rajasthan’s teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to make a massive impact in this crucial playoff fixture.

The winner of this highly anticipated Eliminator will earn the right to face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on May 29 in Mullanpur, vying for a spot in the grand finale on May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already booked their ticket to the final after emerging victorious in Qualifier 1. For the loser of Tuesday’s match, the IPL 2026 journey comes to an abrupt end.

The Rollercoaster Ride of the Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals have endured a highly dramatic and topsy-turvy journey to secure their playoff berth. The inaugural champions started their IPL 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion, registering victories in each of their first four games. At that stage, RR looked like the team to beat, showcasing immense balance and dominance. However, the momentum shifted dramatically during the mid-season phase, and the wheels temporarily came off.

RR suffered a major slump, losing six out of their next eight matches. This sudden dip in form forced them into a corner, leaving them to fight tooth and nail for a spot in the top four. Showing immense resilience when it mattered most, Rajasthan managed to pull themselves back together, winning their final two league games. Their playoff spot was officially secured on the absolute last day of the league stage, allowing them to finish fourth with 16 points, just behind Sunrisers Hyderabad, who claimed the third spot with 18 points.

The Phenomenon of 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

At the heart of Rajasthan’s batting lineup is the 15-year-old boy wonder, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Despite his tender age, Sooryavanshi has emerged as arguably the most explosive and exciting batter of IPL 2026. His extraordinary ability to dismantle bowling attacks has won over fans and pundits alike, with many calling for his immediate inclusion in the Indian national team.

Statistically, Sooryavanshi’s season has been nothing short of historic. He currently stands as the highest run-scorer for the Rajasthan Royals, accumulating an impressive 583 runs at an outstanding average of 41.64. What truly sets his campaign apart is a scarcely believable strike rate of 232. Over the course of the season, the young prodigy has smashed three half-centuries and a sensational century. Furthermore, he has cleared the boundary ropes with ease, hitting 53 sixes—a record total for any Indian batsman in a single IPL season.

Although Sooryavanshi failed to get going in RR’s final league game against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, his bounce-back ability remains a key talking point ahead of the Eliminator.

Kris Srikkanth’s Tactical Breakdown: RR Hold the Edge

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth addressed the hot topics surrounding the upcoming RR vs SRH playoff encounter, paying close attention to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s form. Srikkanth declared the Rajasthan Royals as slight favorites, giving them a 55-45 edge over the Orange Army.

“I believe it’s 55-45 to RR. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn’t score in the last match, and he has that fire. Usually, if he fails in one game, he performs in the next,” Srikkanth noted. He emphasized that a strong start from the opening pair would be decisive for Rajasthan. “If he and Jaiswal set the tone, that’ll be enough for RR, with Jurel batting very well.”

Srikkanth also pointed out the massive defensive threat posed by Rajasthan’s bowling spearhead, Jofra Archer, against Hyderabad’s explosive openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. “If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself,” Srikkanth explained, highlighting how quickly the game could swing in Rajasthan’s favor.

The Formidable Challenge of Sunrisers Hyderabad

Despite favoring Rajasthan, Srikkanth was quick to acknowledge that Sunrisers Hyderabad possess an incredibly strong squad on paper. He labeled the Orange Army a “gun side” and noted that they boast a far superior lineup in terms of raw talent and depth.

“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side. They have as dangerous a batting side as RCB. But RCB scores in a more collective manner. Yet, RR is a funny and dangerous side. We can’t underestimate RR,” the former selector remarked.

Srikkanth singled out Hyderabad’s middle order as their primary strength, calling it the best in the entire competition. Specifically, he highlighted the dangerous duo of Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen at positions three and four. “SRH’s real plus is Kishan and Klaasen. Their Nos. 3 and 4 are too strong and have been the best 3 and 4 in the competition,” Srikkanth concluded.

An Unmissable Playoff Encounter

With Rajasthan’s explosive top order and SRH’s powerhouse middle order, this Eliminator promises to be a classic IPL thriller. All eyes will be on Mullanpur as the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looks to shake off his recent failure and guide the Rajasthan Royals one step closer to the IPL 2026 final.