The Rajasthan Royals prodigy continued his extraordinary campaign with a blistering 97 off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Wednesday’s IPL eliminator.
Sooryavanshi hammered five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate above 334 as Rajasthan posted a massive 243-8, before sealing a 47-run win.
His latest assault took his season tally to 65 sixes, eclipsing Gayle’s previous record of 59 set during the 2012 IPL season.
Gayle, famously nicknamed the “Universe Boss”, congratulated the youngster on social media.
“Outstanding @Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi09, a new six machine @iplt20,” Gayle wrote on Instagram.
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The West Indies great also sympathised with Sooryavanshi narrowly missing out on the fastest century in IPL history – a record Gayle still holds after reaching three figures in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.
Sooryavanshi fires 97 to keep Rajasthan in IPL title hunt
Sooryavanshi fell agonisingly short after being dismissed for 97, despite racing to his half-century in only 16 deliveries.
He’s always aiming for the stars 💫
Relive his record-breaking six ▶️ https://t.co/7D6JymqfsM#TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #TheFinalLeap | #SRHvRR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/8YODkB5QJy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2026
The teenager has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season, scoring 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and an astonishing strike rate of 242.85.
More than 88% of his runs have come through boundaries, underlining his fearless approach at the crease.
We are out of words 👏👏
9⃣7⃣(29) of absolute force from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 🔥🔥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/OBIYYIuhbt #TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #TheFinalLeap | #SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/gtt63Wwkx1
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2026
He has also equalled Gayle’s record for the most IPL innings featuring 10 or more sixes in a season, while his 490 powerplay runs are the most ever recorded in a single IPL campaign.
Rajasthan now face Gujarat Titans for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Photo: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters
