Rajasthan Royals continued their strong start to IPL 2026 with a commanding 27-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rain-shortened clash at Guwahati, but the biggest talking point of the night was the rise of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Even MI captain Hardik Pandya couldn’t help but acknowledge the youngster’s brilliance, sharing a warm moment during the post-match handshake where he patted him on the chest in appreciation.
Suryavanshi, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, dismantled Mumbai’s bowling attack in the powerplay after RR were put in to bat. The left-handed duo made full use of the batting-friendly conditions in the 11-over-per-side contest, racing to 80 runs in just 30 balls for the opening wicket. Their fearless approach set the tone for what became a match-winning total.
Speaking after the game, Hardik Pandya admitted that the Mumbai Indians camp had specifically discussed Suryavanshi ahead of the fixture. He was particularly impressed by the youngster’s intent against world-class bowlers.
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“It’s quite fascinating to see a 15-year-old play like that. We spoke about him in our preparation, but the way he executed his shots with such fearlessness was incredible. I wish him all the very best,” Hardik Pandya said.
Suryavanshi’s innings of 39 off just 14 balls stood out for its audacity. He took on Jasprit Bumrah from the outset, launching the premier pacer for a six off the very first ball he faced and following it up with another towering hit. His clean striking and confidence against high pace underlined his growing reputation as one of the most exciting young prospects in the league.
At the other end, Jaiswal played the perfect anchor, finishing unbeaten on 77 off 32 deliveries. Together, they powered Rajasthan Royals to 150/3 in their allotted overs, a total that proved more than enough.
In response, Mumbai Indians faltered early, losing three wickets inside the first three overs. Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, and Suryakumar Yadav all fell cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot. While Tilak Varma and Pandya attempted to rebuild, the required rate kept climbing.
WATCH – Vaibhav Suryavanshi Takes on Bumrah With Fearless Six-Hitting In Rain-Hit RR vs MI Clash
A brief cameo from Sherfane Rutherford injected some hope, but Rajasthan’s bowlers held their nerve. Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, and Ravi Bishnoi led a disciplined effort to restrict MI to 123/9. With this win, the Rajasthan Royals climbed to the top of the table, while the Mumbai Indians were left searching for consistency early in the season.
