![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776153178654_VaibhavSooryavanshi.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AP]
Rajasthan Royals slumped to a huge defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in match number 21 of the IPL 2026 season in Hyderabad. Chasing 217 for a win, wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a first-ball duck by SRH’s IPL debutant and young fast bowler Praful Hinge.
The rest of the Rajasthan Royals batters failed to recover from the early setback, as the entire line-up crumbled, falling 57 runs short of the hosts.
Sooryavanshi’s failure became one of the biggest talking points of the match, considering the blistering 15-year-old has been whacking some of the best bowlers in the tournament left and right in the past few weeks.
Irfan Pathan, who came up with an interesting “theory” about the Rajasthan Royals youngster earlier in the tournament, also had a say about the cricketer’s recent batting failure as he prompted an intense verbal attack from fans of the franchise.
Pathan believes Sooryavanshi ONLY targets “big bowlers”, draws fans backlash
Last week, Irfan Pathan took to X and jokingly “theorised” that Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi targets “big bowlers” on purpose, thus indirectly implying that the youngster is only interested in chasing quick fame.
After Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a duck to uncapped fast bowler Praful Hinge on April 13, the former Indian all-rounder claimed that his theory “isn’t wrong”.
While Pathan may have been said this in a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek manner, Rajasthan Royals fans were quick to call out the cricketer-turned-commentator for his “weird” take on the youngster’s dismissal.
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Here is a look at some of the fans reacting to Irfan Pathan for his “theory”.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s famous ‘hit list’ in IPL 2026
Compatible to a part of Irfan Pathan’s claims, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has successfully targeted nearly every “big bowler” that has crossed paths with him. The youngster started off the IPL 2026 season by taking CSK’s New Zealand recruit Matt Henry to the cleaners.
The cricketer also dispatched Gujarat Titans’ experienced international pacemen Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada in the powerplay overs.
In the match against Mumbai Indians, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi brutalized Indian pace legend Jasprit Bumrah and his partner Trent Boult.
The 15-year-old even flayed the entire RCB bowling attack, comprising the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood during his motoring 26-ball 78.
Rajasthan Royals to face KKR after season’s first defeat
Rajasthan Royals lost to SRH by 57 runs to register their first defeat of the IPL 2026 season. However, the franchise continues to remain on top of the points table for starting off the tournament with four successive wins. As of now, they have accumulated eight points from five games at a formidable NRR of 0.889.
The Rajasthan Royals franchise will now face KKR in match number 28 of the IPL 2026 season on Sunday, April 19 later this weekend. The match will be hosted by the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the action will commence from 3:30 PM IST onwards.
Also Read- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Unhappy With Rajasthan Royals, Team Official Reveals Details
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