Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 27 runs in a rain-shortened IPL 2026 match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The game saw a remarkable performance from 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose fearless batting caught the attention of many, including MI captain Hardik Pandya.
After the match, Pandya shared his admiration for the young batter and called his performance fascinating to watch.
Hardik Pandya Reacts to Sooryavanshi’s Fearless Batting
After the match ended, cameras captured a moment between Hardik Pandya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Pandya paused near the youngster, looked impressed, and patted him on the chest as a sign of appreciation.
During the post-match presentation, Pandya said that Mumbai Indians had already discussed Sooryavanshi in their team meetings before the match. He praised the young batter for showing courage while facing some of the best fast bowlers in the league.
Pandya said watching a 15-year-old bat with such confidence against experienced bowlers was quite fascinating. He also wished the young player success in his future career.
Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal Dominate the Powerplay
Rajasthan Royals started the innings aggressively with openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pitch at Barsapara Stadium was good for batting, and both players made full use of the conditions.
Sooryavanshi played a stunning cameo of 39 runs from just 14 balls. One of the highlights of his innings came when he smashed Jasprit Bumrah for a six on the very first ball he faced. He followed it with another powerful six by pulling a short delivery from the same bowler.
Yashasvi Jaiswal played a brilliant supporting role and remained unbeaten on 77 from just 32 balls. The two openers added 80 runs together, giving Rajasthan Royals a strong start.
Before rain interrupted the match, RR managed to score 150 for 3 in 11 overs.
Sooryavanshi has already shown good form this season. Earlier in the tournament, he scored a quick half-century against Chennai Super Kings and also played a useful cameo against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Mumbai Indians Struggle During the Chase
Chasing a target of 151 in a shortened game, Mumbai Indians struggled right from the beginning.
Their top order collapsed quickly. Ryan Rickelton scored 8 runs, Rohit Sharma made 5, and Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 6. MI were suddenly in trouble at 23 for 3 after just three overs.
Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya tried to rebuild the innings, but the required run rate kept rising. Sherfane Rutherford played a short attacking knock of 25 from 8 balls, but his innings ended after Sandeep Sharma took a sharp low catch.
Mumbai Indians eventually finished at 123 for 9 in 11 overs.
Also See : Dhruv Jurel Shines With Bat and Tactics as Rajasthan Royals Beat GT in IPL 2026
Rajasthan Royals Bowlers Seal the Win
Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers kept tight control during the chase and did not allow MI to build momentum.
Several bowlers contributed with key wickets.
| RR Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Nandre Burger | 2 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 2 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 2 |
Their disciplined bowling effort helped RR defend the total comfortably on a damp surface.
Match Summary
| Match Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| RR Score | 150/3 in 11 overs |
| MI Score | 123/9 in 11 overs |
| Result | Rajasthan Royals won by 27 runs |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 39 off 14 balls |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 77* off 32 balls |
| Opening Partnership | 80 runs |
Points Table Impact
The victory helped Rajasthan Royals strengthen their position at the top of the IPL 2026 table.
| Team | Position | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals | 1st | 6 | +2.403 |
| Mumbai Indians | 7th | 1 win in 3 matches | — |
RR’s strong start to the season continues, while Mumbai Indians will need to improve quickly to move up the standings.
