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The high-stakes intensity of the IPL 2026 playoffs<\/strong><\/a> took center stage at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. In a roaring clash during the crucial Eliminator match, the Rajasthan Royals (RR)<\/strong> locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)<\/strong>. While playoff encounters are traditionally defined by veteran nerves, it was a 15-year-old prodigy who stole the spotlight, leaving fans and cricket pundits entirely awestruck.<\/p>\n Vaibhav Suryavanshi<\/strong>\u2019s breathtaking IPL 2026 Eliminator knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad has now earned praise from Ravichandran Ashwin<\/strong>, with the former India spinner left stunned by the Rajasthan Royals teenager\u2019s mental maturity at just 15 years of age. Ashwin even joked that Suryavanshi\u2019s parents should protect the youngster from the \u2018evil eye\u2019 after his remarkable rise this season.<\/p>\n Speaking on his YouTube channel after Rajasthan Royals\u2019 win over SRH, Ashwin said the teenager\u2019s ability to improve and adapt within a single IPL season was what impressed him the most.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wanna play 15 years old boy card but tell me how many matches did he play at age of 15 to get this level of mental maturity? If you remember his uppercut over third man for six, the same ball at the start of the season he was trying to play straight and it was getting top edged. Inside a season he made such changes at age of just 15,<\/em>\u201d Ashwin said.<\/p>\n Ashwin then went on to shower even bigger praise on the RR prodigy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is not a normal player. His mom and dad need to do whatever it takes to remove bad evil eye from him. This boy in the post-match interview was saying that hundred will come later, I tried to win the match for my team tonight. The way he bats, he doesn\u2019t care about hundreds because he knows he will get them here and there<\/em>,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Ashwin also highlighted how Suryavanshi answered questions surrounding pressure handling during the playoffs.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a question on him, how he was going to play under pressure, and he was incredible<\/em>,\u201d Ashwin concluded.<\/p>\n Also READ:\u00a0Top 5 players with most sixes in a single season of IPL ft. Vaibhav Suryavanshi<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Driven by Suryavanshi\u2019s historic onslaught, the Rajasthan Royals completely outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad, securing a commanding 47-run victory to keep their IPL 2026 title dreams alive. Blasting his way to a 16-ball half-century, the teenage opener finished with a monumental 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, decorated with 5 fours and an astonishing 12 sixes. Alongside a blistering 50 off 21 balls from Dhruv Jurel<\/strong> and a solid 29 from Yashasvi Jaiswal<\/strong>, RR posted a colossal total of 243\/8 in their allotted 20 overs. SRH bowler Praful Hinge<\/strong> managed a 3-wicket haul, but it came at a costly economy rate.<\/p>\n Faced with a mountainous target of 244, Sunrisers Hyderabad crumbled heavily under the pressure of the steep chase. Jofra Archer<\/strong> ripped through the top order, dismissing Abhishek Sharma<\/strong> for a duck and cleaning up Travis Head<\/strong> for 17, finishing with stellar figures of 3\/58.<\/p>\n Despite quick counter-attacking cameos from Ishan Kishan<\/strong> (33 off 11) and Nitish Kumar Reddy<\/strong> (38 off 20), SRH fell victim to regular breakthroughs. Left-arm quick Nandre Burger<\/strong> (2\/26) and seasoned spin maestro Ravindra Jadeja<\/strong><\/a> (2\/12) stifled the middle order. Ultimately, SRH was bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, ensuring a resounding victory for the Royals. Unsurprisingly, Suryavanshi was named Player of the Match for a historic playoff performance that will be remembered for years to come.<\/p>\n Also WATCH:\u00a0Ravindra Jadeja responds with cheeky Pushpa celebration after dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy in SRH vs RR Eliminator<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nRavichandran Ashwin urges Vaibhav Suryavanshi\u2019s family to protect rising RR star<\/strong><\/h2>\n
RR outclass SRH in Eliminator to keep IPL 2026 title hopes alive<\/strong><\/h2>\n