NEW DELHI: A subdued outing with the bat couldn’t stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from scripting history as the teenage sensation rewrote the record books during Rajasthan Royals’ 40-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old opener managed just 8 off 11 balls in a low-scoring match at the Ekana Stadium, but his brief stay proved historic. Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to reach 500 IPL runs, surpassing Prithvi Shaw (19 years and 164 days), and also the fastest to reach the milestone by balls faced, getting there in just 227 deliveries, 33 less than the previous record holder, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell.
Records fall despite a bad start
At just 15 years and 26 days old, Sooryavanshi continues to redefine early success in the IPL. Former RR captain Sanju Samson (19 years and 195 days) is now third in the list of youngest players with 500 runs.
Despite Wednesday’s quiet knock, the youngster remains RR’s top scorer this season with 254 runs, including two explosive fifties off just 15 balls each, the third-fastest in league history.
Overall, Sooryavanshi’s numbers underline his impact: 506 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.14 and a staggering strike rate of over 213. His reputation was cemented last season with a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, the fastest by an Indian in IPL history and the second-fastest overall.
Ravindra Jadeja shines as RR recovers
While Sooryavanshi broke records, it was Ravindra Jadeja who anchored the victory with a crucial all-round display. His unbeaten 43, combined with a key wicket, earned him the Player of the Match award, which he dedicated to his wife Rivaba Jadeja.
Jadeja admitted that the pitch was difficult as the seams and swing made strokeplay difficult, prompting him to adopt a patient approach. With the ball, he cleverly varied his pace, even joking about having Nicholas Pooran “in the pocket” after outsmarting him.
RR captain Riyan Parag felt his team fell a little short with the bat, suggesting a total closer to 180 was possible. However, the bowlers, led by Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, ensured the target was more than enough.
The win lifts Rajasthan Royals to second place in the points table, while Lucknow Super Giants remain close to the bottom.