Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – IPL 2026: Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Shine in RR vs SRH Eliminator

The Stage is Set for an IPL 2026 Thriller

The intensity of the IPL 2026 playoffs reaches a fever pitch as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) gear up to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a do-or-die Eliminator clash. Scheduled to take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, this match represents the ultimate test for both franchises. After a roller-coaster league stage, the Royals are looking to harness the momentum of their late-season surge to keep their championship dreams alive.

Srikkanth’s Strategic Outlook

Former India captain and seasoned cricket analyst Kris Srikkanth has offered his expert take on the upcoming showdown. Despite SRH finishing higher on the points table, Srikkanth has tipped the Rajasthan Royals as the slight favorites, assigning a 55-45 edge to the inaugural champions. The former selector believes that the outcome will hinge on key individual battles and the ability of star players to step up under pressure.

Srikkanth specifically highlighted the role of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While Sooryavanshi failed to fire in the final league match against the Mumbai Indians, Srikkanth views this as a positive omen. “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 noted on his YouTube channel. He believes a fast start from the duo of Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, supported by the resilient Dhruv Jurel, could provide the foundation needed for a massive total.

The Battle of Strengths

While backing RR, Srikkanth was quick to pay homage to the formidable nature of the Sunrisers. He acknowledged that on paper, SRH remains one of the most destructive sides in the tournament, particularly when it comes to their middle-order power. “SRH are a gun side and the far superior side. Their Nos. 3 and 4 are too strong and have been the best in the competition,” he added, referencing the clinical form of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen.

The tactical masterclass for the Royals, according to Srikkanth, will involve Jofra Archer. He suggests that if Archer can secure early wickets, specifically removing the dangerous Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma in the powerplay, it could dismantle the SRH batting lineup before they find their rhythm.

The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

There is little doubt that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the breakout story of IPL 2026. At just 15 years old, his numbers are nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the Eliminator as the Royals’ highest run-scorer, he has amassed 583 runs this season, maintaining an average of 41.64. However, it is his strike rate of 232 that has left fans and critics in awe.

His ability to clear the ropes has been a defining feature of the campaign, with 53 sixes to his name—a new record for an Indian batter in a single IPL season. This explosive approach has made him a household name and fueled debates regarding his immediate inclusion in the Indian national side. With three fifties and a magnificent century already under his belt, Sooryavanshi has proven that his maturity on the field far exceeds his years.

The Road to the Final

The loser of this Eliminator will bid farewell to the 2026 season, while the winner will move on to face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on May 29. The ultimate prize, the IPL trophy, awaits the victor of that match in the final scheduled for May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru already securing their spot in the final, the remaining teams are playing with the highest possible stakes.

Whether the Royals’ explosive batting core can overcome the tactical depth of the Sunrisers remains to be seen. However, if Srikkanth’s assessment is correct, the stage is perfectly set for the young Sooryavanshi to showcase his temperament once more when it matters most.