Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for IPL 2026 Eliminator
The High-Stakes Battle in Mullanpur
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has reached its business end, and the excitement is palpable as the playoffs get underway. The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, is set to host a blockbuster Eliminator clash between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Tuesday. With everything on the line, former India captain and ex-BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth has shared his expert analysis on this highly anticipated encounter, backing Rajasthan’s teenage batting prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to make a massive impact.
Srikkanth Tips Rajasthan Royals as Slight Favorites
Speaking on his popular YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth weighed in on the tactical battle between the third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad and the fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals. Despite SRH finishing higher on the points table with 18 points compared to RR’s 16, Srikkanth believes the inaugural champions hold a slight edge going into the knockout fixture.
Srikkanth declared that he sees the matchup as “55-45 to RR,” pointing specifically to the explosive potential of their top order and the bounce-back ability of their young run-machine. “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 analyzed. He emphasized that if Sooryavanshi and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal can set a strong tone at the top, it will lay the perfect foundation for RR, especially with Dhruv Jurel currently batting in superb form.
The Strategic Powerplay Battle
Beyond the batting department, Srikkanth highlighted a crucial bowling matchup that could decide the fate of the match in the very first few overs. He pointed to RR’s premier fast bowler, Jofra Archer, as the potential game-changer who could dismantle Hyderabad’s dangerous opening combination of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma early on.
“If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself,” Srikkanth explained. This battle between Hyderabad’s ultra-aggressive openers and Rajasthan’s elite pace spearhead promises to be one of the defining contests of the Eliminator.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The 15-Year-Old Wonderkid
At the center of Rajasthan’s campaign is the extraordinary 15-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young prodigy has taken IPL 2026 by storm, establishing himself as arguably the most explosive and consistent batter of the tournament. His breathtaking performances have captured the imagination of cricket fans globally, with many calling for his immediate inclusion in the Indian national team.
Sooryavanshi enters the playoffs as the leading run-scorer for the Rajasthan Royals. Over the course of the league stage, he has amassed a stunning 583 runs at an impressive average of 41.64. What makes his campaign truly historic is his jaw-dropping strike rate of 232. Along the way, the teenager has registered three half-centuries and a magnificent century. Furthermore, he has cleared the boundary ropes with ease, smashing 53 sixes—a record total for any Indian batter in a single IPL season.
While he missed out on a big score in RR’s final league match against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, his track record suggests he is primed for a big-game performance when his team needs it most.
The Rollercoaster Journey of the Rajasthan Royals
The road to the playoffs has been far from straightforward for the Rajasthan Royals. The franchise enjoyed a dream start to their IPL 2026 campaign, registering victories in each of their opening four matches. However, they hit a severe mid-season slump, losing six out of their next eight games, which severely jeopardized their chances of securing a playoff berth.
Showing great resilience, RR managed to turn their fortunes around just in time. They secured crucial victories in their final two league matches, sealing their top-four spot on the very last day of the league stage. This late surge of momentum could prove invaluable as they enter the pressure cooker of the playoffs.
The Formidable Challenge of Sunrisers Hyderabad
While Srikkanth has tipped RR to win, he was quick to acknowledge the immense quality within the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad. He admitted that on paper, the ‘Orange Army’ boasts a formidable lineup that cannot be taken lightly.
“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side,” Srikkanth noted. He drew comparisons between Hyderabad and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, stating that while RCB tends to score in a more collective manner, SRH possesses individual match-winners capable of taking the game away in a flash. Srikkanth reserved special praise for SRH’s powerhouse middle order, identifying Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen as their primary weapons. “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,” he added.
The Playoff Landscape
The stakes could not be higher for both teams at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The loser of Tuesday’s Eliminator will be knocked out of the tournament immediately. Meanwhile, the winner will advance to Qualifier 2, scheduled to take place in Mullanpur on May 29. The victor of Qualifier 2 will earn the right to face the Gujarat Titans for a spot in the grand final on May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already booked their place in the final after winning Qualifier 1.
Rohan Kapoor is a cricket editor and sports content analyst based in New Delhi with over 6 years of experience covering IPL, T20 leagues, and international cricket. He specializes in match analysis, player statistics, and tactical breakdowns, bringing data-driven insights to modern cricket audiences across India.
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