Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – IPL 2026: Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Dominate Eliminator
The High-Stakes Eliminator: Road to the IPL 2026 Final
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 enters its business end. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to lock horns in a high-voltage Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. With both teams eyeing a spot in Qualifier 2, former Indian captain and ex-BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth has shared his expert analysis on the upcoming clash. Srikkanth has thrown his weight behind RR, backing their 15-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to bounce back and play a defining role in this do-or-die encounter.
The tournament bracket has set up a thrilling path to the final. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have already secured their spot in the grand finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, courtesy of their victory in Qualifier 1. The journey for RR and SRH, however, is much more precarious. The loser of Tuesday’s Eliminator will be knocked out immediately, while the winner will earn the right to face the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2 on May 29 in Mullanpur.
SRH finished the league stage in third place with 18 points, while RR scraped through to fourth with 16 points. Despite SRH finishing higher on the points table, Srikkanth believes the playoffs present a completely different ball game, giving Rajasthan a slight edge heading into the contest.
Why Kris Srikkanth Backs Rajasthan Royals (55-45)
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth analyzed the matchup and declared RR as slight favorites. “I believe it’s 55-45 to RR,” Srikkanth stated. His reasoning heavily relies on RR’s explosive opening combination and their capability to bounce back from recent setbacks.
A key factor in Srikkanth’s prediction is the bounce-back ability of young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old opener failed to fire in RR’s final league match against the Mumbai Indians, but Srikkanth is confident that the youngster will rise to the occasion. “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 explained.
Srikkanth emphasized that if Sooryavanshi and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal can establish a solid foundation, it will lay the groundwork for a massive total or a successful chase, especially with Dhruv Jurel also in fine touch in the middle order.
The Phenomenal Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026
At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as the breakout star of IPL 2026, earning accolades from fans and experts alike, with many calling for his swift inclusion in the national side. He is currently Rajasthan Royals’ leading run-scorer in the tournament, putting up numbers that defy his age.
Sooryavanshi’s statistical output this season is nothing short of extraordinary:
- Total Runs: 583 runs
- Batting Average: 41.64
- Strike Rate: A jaw-dropping 232
- Milestones: 3 half-centuries and 1 century
- Sixes Hit: 53 (a record for the most sixes by an Indian batter in a single IPL season)
- Age: 15 years old
This incredible blend of consistency and sheer power makes Sooryavanshi the ultimate wildcard for the Royals. If he finds his groove in Mullanpur, the Sunrisers bowlers will have a massive task on their hands.
The Powerplay Threat: Archer vs Head and Abhishek
While the batting unit holds immense promise, Srikkanth also pointed out a tactical bowling trump card that RR possesses. The former selector highlighted Jofra Archer’s potential to break the back of the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup during the powerplay.
SRH’s explosive opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma has terrorized bowlers throughout the tournament. However, Srikkanth believes Archer has the quality to neutralize them early on. “If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself,” Srikkanth noted. Early wickets will be crucial for RR to put pressure on SRH’s highly rated batting lineup.
Analyzing Sunrisers Hyderabad: A “Gun Side” with the Best Middle Order
Despite leaning towards RR, Srikkanth was quick to acknowledge that Sunrisers Hyderabad are a formidable unit, especially on paper. In fact, he described the ‘Orange Army’ as a “gun side” with a batting line-up as dangerous as RCB’s, though operating differently.
“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side,” Srikkanth admitted. “They have as dangerous a batting side as RCB. But RCB scores in a more collective manner. Yet, RR is a funny and dangerous side. We can’t underestimate RR.”
For Srikkanth, SRH’s primary strength lies in their powerhouse middle order, specifically their numbers 3 and 4. “SRH’s real plus is Kishan and Klaasen. Their Nos. 3 and 4 are too strong and have been the best 3 and 4 in the competition,” he observed. The stability and explosive power of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen make SRH incredibly difficult to contain if the openers fail to fire.
Rajasthan Royals’ Rollercoaster Journey to the Playoffs
The Royals’ journey to the playoffs has been anything but smooth. They started the season in sensational fashion, winning each of their first four games and looking like the team to beat. However, their momentum came to a sudden halt during the middle phase of the tournament.
RR suffered a severe slump, losing six out of eight games in the mid-season stretch. This sudden drop in form forced them into a desperate scrap for playoff qualification. Fortunately, the inaugural IPL champions found their footing when it mattered most, winning their final two games of the league stage. Their playoff spot was finally secured on the very last day of the league stage, setting up this mouthwatering Eliminator clash against the Sunrisers.
With momentum back on their side and the explosive young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi raring to go, Rajasthan Royals will believe they have what it takes to overcome the formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad and keep their IPL 2026 championship dreams alive.
