Rajasthan Royals moved a step closer to securing a place in the IPL 2026 playoffs after producing a remarkable chase against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur. Pursuing a massive target of 221, the Royals completed the task comfortably and climbed to fourth place on the table. A victory against Mumbai Indians in their final league fixture would now strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage regardless of other outcomes.
The evening belonged to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose breathtaking innings changed the momentum of the contest completely. Interestingly, the youngster did not begin in his usual attacking style. At one stage he managed only 11 runs from 12 deliveries while Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the scoring during the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the ninth over when Sooryavanshi unleashed a brutal assault on Akash Singh, smashing two sixes and three boundaries in a single over.
From there onward, the left hand batter looked unstoppable. He raced to his fifty in only 23 balls and continued clearing the ropes with astonishing ease. His stunning 93 from just 38 deliveries included a barrage of maximums and pushed his season tally to 53 sixes. Only Chris Gayle has struck more in a single IPL season, achieving the feat back in 2012. Sooryavanshi eventually fell while attempting another big hit, but by then the match was firmly under Rajasthan’s control.
Dhruv Jurel then played a composed unbeaten half century to guide the side home alongside Donnovan Ferreira, ensuring there were no late surprises.
Earlier in the night, Lucknow Super Giants had looked set for an even bigger score after Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis tore into the Rajasthan bowling attack. The Australian pair powered LSG to 83 without loss inside six overs. Inglis hammered 60 from only 29 balls, while Marsh reached his fifty in 25 deliveries before slowing down later in the innings.
Young wrist spinner Yash Raj Punja played a vital role in pulling Rajasthan back into the contest. The spinner dismissed Inglis and Nicholas Pooran while conceding only 35 runs in his four overs. Jofra Archer also delivered a strong final over, removing Marsh, Rishabh Pant, and Ayush Badoni to restrict Lucknow at a crucial stage.
In the end, Rajasthan’s fearless batting display proved too powerful as they completed one of the finest chases of the season and kept their playoff hopes firmly alive.
