Another day and another Vaibhav Sooryavanshi story, as the 15-year-old cleared arguably the toughest early hurdle of his career by taking Jasprit Bumrah for two sixes in his very first over during Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians. There was genuine curiosity around how the teenager would handle India’s premier fast bowler. He didn’t wait around for answers. First ball, he picked length early and sent Bumrah over the ropes.
Apart from that, the intent didn’t dip even for a moment. He knocked a single, got back on strike and went again, another clean hit for six. Bumrah went for 14 runs in the over. Not something you see often in any condition, especially in the IPL where he’s usually the one dictating terms. Even Bumrah’s expression gave it away- a brief pause, a half-smile, almost an acknowledgement.
Sooryavanshi's Fearless Approach
The IPL, run by the BCCI, has a history of fast-tracking young Indian players and 15-year-old Sooryavanshi just forced his way into that conversation. Taking on Bumrah, India’s go-to bowler across formats, is not a soft entry point. The Bihar born left-hander made it look surprisingly uncomplicated.
On the other hand, he didn’t pick and choose his targets. Trent Boult came on next and got the same treatment- another six, struck clean. The approach was simple for the lad: see ball, hit ball.
Then came Lord Shardul Thakur. Two sixes and a four in one over. Thakur did manage to break through eventually, with Tilak Varma holding onto the catch, but by then the over had already gone for 18 runs.
The numbers tell their own story. Sooryavanshi made 39 off 14 balls, with 5 sixes and 1 four. Strike rate: 278.57. It lasted barely a handful of overs, but it didn’t feel like a cameo. It definitely felt louder than that.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Anchors, Rajasthan Royals Pile On
In a rain-hit game shortened to 11 overs a side in Guwahati, Rajasthan Royals had no time to ease in. They didn’t try either. Yashasvi Jaiswal took charge early and stayed there. The left-hander finished unbeaten on 77 off 32 balls, threading gaps, clearing the ropes, and keeping Mumbai Indians on the back foot throughout. He paced it well without ever really slowing down.
Furthermore, Sooryavanshi’s burst in the middle overs made sure there was no breathing space for MI. The scoring rate never dipped. Every over felt like it could go big.
Rajasthan Royals ended at 150/3 in 11 overs. In a shortened contest, that’s a pretty serious total. Mumbai Indians now need 151 to get their second win of IPL 2026. As for Riyan Parag’s side, the job is pretty simple, defend hard and keep the streak going.