Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL Season Runs Total
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has now accumulated 775 runs in the current IPL season.
Indian Premier League, Qualifier 2, New Chandigarh
Rajasthan Royals 214-6 (20 overs): Sooryavanshi 96 (47); Holder 2-27
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again showcased his exceptional talent in the Indian Premier League by scoring a brilliant 96 runs off 47 balls during the second qualifier match on Friday.
Earlier on Wednesday, the 15-year-old had delivered a spectacular innings of 97 runs from just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which helped Rajasthan Royals reach this stage of the tournament.
In this crucial match, with a place in Sunday's final at stake, Sooryavanshi held his team together with a more measured yet equally impressive performance.
After being put in to bat, Royals experienced an early setback, losing two wickets for just 9 runs against the formidable opening bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada from Gujarat Titans.
Sooryavanshi initially struggled to time the ball, playing and missing several deliveries. However, he persevered and struck the first of his seven sixes off his 14th ball—a stunning straight six off Rabada.
The Titans eventually resorted to short-pitched bowling, and Rabada struck Sooryavanshi on the helmet when the batsman was on 56 runs from 32 balls.
Following this, Sooryavanshi appeared to switch gears, scoring 39 runs off his next 14 balls before being dismissed by a high catch at third man from a mistimed slap.
By the time Sooryavanshi was dismissed, Royals had reached 176 for 6 with 16 balls remaining. They eventually posted a total of 214 for 6, with Donovan Ferreira contributing a rapid 38 runs off 11 balls.
Despite the team's loss, Sooryavanshi's ability to withstand some hostile fast bowling drew significant attention. Former West Indies paceman Ian Bishop remarked that some teams are already "down to Plan Z" when facing him.
Sooryavanshi has been practicing against teammate and England fast bowler Jofra Archer in net sessions. Although he has been dismissed four times by short-pitched bowling this season, his strike rate against it has risen to 307, including 23 sixes.
"He [Sooryavanshi] has talked about his battles in the nets with Jofra Archer," said former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop.
"Both of them go head to head, full steam. I know a lot of batters who don't like to face fast bowling in the nets at practice time but he has not backed down. Archer goes at him and he goes at Archer."
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