Former India captain Anil Kumble has hailed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s remarkable IPL 2026 season, saying the most impressive part of the Rajasthan Royals teenager’s rise has been his ability to play without visible pressure, even in the biggest moments. His latest praise came after Sooryavanshi produced another sensational knock in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, powering RR into Qualifier 2 with a commanding 47-run win in New Chandigarh.

At just 15 years of age, Sooryavanshi smashed a dazzling 97 off 29 balls and once again looked far beyond his years. His innings helped Rajasthan Royals pile up a huge total and completely changed the tone of the knockout match. RR will now meet the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, setting up a high-stakes clash with a place in the final on the line.

Kumble said the left-hander’s biggest strength is the calmness he carries at the crease, regardless of the match situation. Speaking to JioStar, the former India spinner noted that Sooryavanshi has consistently shown no signs of nerves throughout the season.

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“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has shown throughout the season that pressure simply doesn’t seem to affect him, and this innings was another example of that. In just 29 balls, he completely changed the direction of the game and put Sunrisers Hyderabad under immense pressure right from the start,” Anil Kumble said.

The former leg-spinner also pointed out how quickly Sooryavanshi disrupted Sunrisers Hyderabad’s plans. Pat Cummins and his bowling attack tried multiple fields and lengths, but the youngster never allowed them to settle. Rajasthan raced through the Powerplay, and SRH were left searching for answers almost immediately.

“Pat Cummins and the bowlers came in with plans, but within the first couple of overs those plans were already disrupted because they simply didn’t know where to bowl to him. To play an innings of this magnitude in a knockout game at the age of 15 is extraordinary,” Anil Kumble added.

Kumble further credited Sooryavanshi’s consistency for the Rajasthan Royals’ strong playoff run. The teenager’s season has not been built on one isolated innings; instead, he has delivered repeatedly and now sits at the top of RR’s batting charts as the Orange Cap holder.

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“One of the biggest reasons Rajasthan Royals are now in Qualifier 2 is because of the impact he has had throughout the tournament,” Anil Kumble said. Sooryavanshi’s knock also included a 16-ball fifty, equalling Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff match. Against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, Kumble believes RR will carry real momentum and confidence, especially after three straight wins against strong opposition.