Sooryavanshi’s hot streak continues in IPL as Rajasthan down RCB

April 11 (Reuters) – Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his stunning form in the Indian Premier League by smashing a 15-ball fifty to power Rajasthan Royals ​to a six-wicket win over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru ‌on Friday.

Chasing 202, the 15-year-old tore into the RCB attack with 78 off 26 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes, as Rajasthan reached the target with ​two overs to spare.

Sooryavanshi, who lit up his debut season ​with a 35-ball hundred last year, is just 11 matches ⁠into his IPL career and has already surged to the top of ​this season’s run charts with 200 runs in four innings at a ​strike rate of 266.6.

He registered his second 15-ball fifty of the campaign, having achieved the feat against Chennai Super Kings previously.

“We just cannot believe how someone can hit ​like that. He is a great talent and we feel good that ​he is in our team,” said wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.

After dominating India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah earlier ‌in ⁠the week, Sooryavanshi passed another stern test against Josh Hazlewood, thrashing the returning Australia quick for three fours and a six in the first fours balls he faced.

Sooryavanshi and Jurel set the tone with a rapid ​start, racing to ​97-1 in the ⁠powerplay before spinner Krunal Pandya stalled the momentum.

Rajasthan slipped from 129-1 to 134-4 when Pandya dismissed Sooryavanshi, but ​Jurel anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 81 ​from ⁠43 balls.

“When you go in, and Vaibhav is smashing every ball, you tend to think nothing is happening on the wicket. Cricket is not as ⁠easy ​as he’s playing,” Jurel added.

The 108-run stand ​between Jurel and Sooryavanshi proved decisive, keeping Rajasthan unbeaten at the top of the table while ​RCB remain third.