IPL 2026 [WATCH]: Vaibhav Suryavanshi plays a vintage Kohli-esque shot off Kagiso Rabada for six during GT vs RR Qualifier 2

The stage was set for a high-stakes blockbuster as Gujarat Titans (GT) clashed with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Taking place on Friday, at the picturesque Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, this do-or-die encounter promised fireworks.

With a spot in the grand finale on the line, RR won the toss and elected to set a target. What followed in the early exchanges sent shockwaves through the stadium, but it also paved the way for a moment of pure genius from a young prodigy that cricket fans will be talking about for years to come.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Kagiso Rabada for a towering straight six with Virat Kohli-like elegance

Amid the early tension, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a breathtaking shot that immediately went viral on social media. In the 4th over of the innings, facing South African speed merchant Kagiso Rabada, the young left-hander channelized his inner maestro.

On the sixth delivery of the over (3.6), Rabada unleashed a fierce, back-of-a-length delivery on off-stump, clocking a blistering 153 km/h. It was a ball that demanded respect, yet Suryavanshi had other ideas. Opening his stance ever so slightly, he cleared his front leg and presented a textbook vertical bat. Meeting the ball cleanly off the meat of the willow, he lifted it beautifully over the sightscreen for a monstrous 91-meter six.

The audacious stroke instantly evoked memories of Virat Kohli’s legendary straight six off Haris Rauf at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2022 T20 World Cup. Commentators and fans alike were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief as the ball sailed straight into the stands. The spectacular maximum took Suryavanshi to an unbeaten 27 off just 14 deliveries, injecting immense belief back into the Rajasthan camp.

Here’s the video:

THE VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI SHOW 🤩🩷

🎥 The Boy Wonder playing fire with fire 🔥

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2026

RR stabilizes their innings after an early collapse against GT

Before Suryavanshi’s jaw-dropping cameo took center stage, the Royals were staring down the barrel. Gujarat’s star-studded bowling attack, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj, struck almost immediately. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the very first over (0.4), dismissed for just 1 after offering a catch to Prasidh Krishna off Siraj’s bowling.

Things went from bad to worse in the second over when Dhruv Jurel was caught by GT skipper Shubman Gill off Rabada for 7, leaving RR reeling at a precarious 9 for 2 in 1.5 overs.

However, Suryavanshi found an experienced ally in Ravindra Jadeja. Together, the duo launched a spectacular counter-attack, shifting the momentum completely. They stitched together a blistering 50-run partnership in just 21 deliveries, rapidly taking Rajasthan to 50 runs in 4.3 overs.

By the time the strategic timeout was called at 7.2 overs, the score had soared to 80 for 2, with both batters matching each other stroke for stroke. Unfortunately, Jadeja had to walk off retired hurt at 34 runs due to a physical setback, breaking an excellent 82-run partnership. Skipper Riyan Parag contributed a quickfire 11 off 6 balls before falling to Jason Holder, but Dasun Shanaka joined Suryavanshi to anchor the back end.

Despite the early hiccups against Siraj (1/33) and Rabada (1/21), Rajasthan Royals completed a phenomenal recovery. They breached the 100-run mark in 8.5 overs, ultimately flexing their muscles to post an imposing 103 for 3 at the halfway stage of 10 overs, setting up a thrilling second half.