Guwahati: Rajasthan Royals lit up the IPL 2026 season by giving Chennai Super Kings a defeat to remember. Chasing just 128, RR won easily by eight wickets in only 12.1 overs. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the star, putting on a stunning performance.
RR captain Ryan Parag won the toss and chose to bowl first on a Guwahati pitch with early pace and bounce. The move worked well as Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger quickly dismissed CSK’s top order. CSK struggled at 51 for 5 and finished with just 127 runs. Jamie Overton fought hard for his 43, while Sanju Samson, playing his first game for CSK against his former team, scored only six before getting out.
The real excitement came during the run chase. Sooryavanshi, fresh from the Under-19 team, made a big impact with a 15-ball half-century, the fastest this season. He hit five sixes and four fours, scoring 52 from just 17 balls. After being dropped early, he only played better. Yashasvi Jaiswal supported him well with a steady 38, and together they gave CSK’s bowlers no chance.
This win is RR’s third in a row against CSK and brings their overall record to 16 wins each. For the young team led by new captain Parag, it was an ideal start to the season, showing strong bowling and confident batting.
Cricket fans across India are already calling it the “Sooryavanshi Show”. If he keeps playing like this, the 15-year-old could become the breakout star of IPL 2026.