Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP]Rajasthan Royals will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator of the IPL 2026. The high-octane clash will be played at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will once again be in the limelight, with the Royals set to take on the Sunrisers in the knockout fixture. The batting prodigy has already smashed 583 runs in 14 IPL 2026 matches at an average of 41.64 and a blistering strike rate of 232.27. However, given that this will be his first appearance in a knockout match in the IPL, Sooryavanshi could be under the pump to deliver for his side. As both teams gear up for a cracking contest, here we decode how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has fared in knockout matches in his brief career so far. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record in knockout matchesCriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatches playedSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table8SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBalls facedSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table187SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRuns scoredSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table392SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDismissalsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table8SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table56SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike RateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table209.62SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table50s/100sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2/1SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record in knockout matches)As evidenced by the above stats, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has played eight knockout matches in his brief career so far. The explosive batter has hammered 392 runs off just 187 deliveries, averaging 56 and striking at 209.62. Furthermore, Sooryavanshi has struck three fifty-plus scores, including two fifties and one hundred across these eight knockout matches. Also Read: Pat Cummins To Trouble Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? SRH Stongest XI Vs RR For IPL 2026 EliminatorThese numbers suggest that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been unperturbed by the pressure of knockout matches, showcasing his ability to deliver in big stages. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's notable performances in knockoutsDestructive batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a game-changing knock in the 2024 U19 Asia Cup semifinal against Sri Lanka. The southpaw clobbered 67 runs off just 36 balls, thereby setting the tone for an emphatic Indian victory. He provided India with a rollicking start in the semifinal of the 2026 u19 World Cup, scoring 68 runs off 33 deliveries against Afghanistan. However, his most prolific performance in a knockout fixture is a whirlwind 80-ball 175, which he smashed against the Englishmen in the final of the 2026 U19 World Cup edition. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's weak zone that SRH can exploitVaibhav Sooryavanshi has undoubtedly taken the IPL 2026 by storm with scintillating strokeplay. Interestingly, he hammered a blistering 37-ball 103 the last time when RR faced SRH in the IPL 2026. His fearless approach and ability to clear the fence with ease make Sooryavanshi a genuine threat to the Sunrisers' bowling unit. Statistically, he has smashed 430 runs at an average of 61.4 and a strike rate of 231.2 in the powerplay phase in IPL 2026. Therefore, SRH would be desperate to dismiss him early and minimise the damage in the first six overs. While Sooryavanshi's pace-hitting is exceptionally good across a majority of lengths, he's slightly vulnerable to short-of-good-length balls directed at his left shoulder. Therefore, SRH would want their hit-the-deck bowlers- Pat Cummins and Sakib Hussain to exploit the grey zone in Sooryavanshi's game. His wicket can certainly push Rajasthan Royals on the back foot and keep their middle-order batters under the pump. However, if he doesn't get out early, it could be all over for the Sunrisers and shatter their dream of winning the tournament for the first time since 2016. Also Read: Belfast Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Report For NZ vs IRE Only Test- New Zealand Tour Of Ireland 2026
