New Delhi: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced another extraordinary performance in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, rewriting multiple records and surpassing some of the biggest names in T20 cricket history. The 15 year old Rajasthan Royals opener broke Chris Gayle’s long standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season during a stunning innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Sooryavanshi smashed seven sixes during his explosive 29 ball 97, taking his tally to 65 sixes this season and moving past Gayle’s previous record of 59 sixes set in IPL 2012. The young batter also hammered a breathtaking half century in just 16 balls, equalling the fastest fifty ever recorded in an IPL playoff match.
The remarkable innings earned him a new nickname from fans and broadcasters at the stadium in New Chandigarh, where he was labelled “Universe Baby Boss”, a tribute inspired by Gayle’s famous “Universe Boss” title.
Gayle himself praised the youngster on social media, describing him as a “new six machine” and applauding his fearless batting. The West Indies legend also encouraged Sooryavanshi after he narrowly missed what could have become the fastest century in IPL history, another record currently held by Gayle.
Sooryavanshi’s season numbers have been extraordinary. In 15 innings, he has scored 680 runs at an average above 45 and an astonishing strike rate exceeding 242. He has struck 55 fours and 65 sixes, with nearly 89 percent of his runs coming through boundaries.
The young left hander also became the first player in IPL history to hit 10 or more sixes in three innings during a single season. His 12 sixes against Hyderabad were the most ever recorded by a batter in an IPL knockout match.
During the powerplay, Sooryavanshi smashed eight sixes, breaking Sanath Jayasuriya’s long standing IPL record. He also overtook David Warner for the most powerplay runs in a single IPL season.
Rajasthan Royals eventually defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad to advance further in the tournament, where they will now face Gujarat Titans for a place in the final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
