Reuters
Days after turning 15, Rajasthan Royals pacer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found a fitting way to celebrate, bringing up a 15-ball half-century in a thrilling eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Monday.
Sooryavanshi, who lit up his debut season with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans last year, took just 15 balls to break his maiden fifty of the season – the third fifty in more than eight matches of his IPL career so far.
Alongside fellow opener and India batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi tore through Chennai’s attack in the powerplay, guiding the team to 74 without loss.
Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 52 off 17 balls, including four sixes and two fours, after sharing a 75-run stand with Jaiswal. Rajasthan cruised to victory in just 12.1 overs after chasing down the target of 128 runs.
“I’m thinking about defending but the plan was to decide the game on the power play as we were going to keep them low,” Sooryavanshi said.
“If the forwards had played better on the power play then the game would have turned but we all came out on the power play.”
The under-19 World Cup winner praised Rajasthan coach Kumar Sangakkara and his staff for supporting his attacking instincts.
“They told me to read the situation well and support my game,” he added.
The Rajasthan pacer followed up with a brilliant bowling effort. Their attack reduced Chennai to 41-4 at the end of the powerplay, putting the visitors on the back foot before being bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs.
South African paceman Nandre Burger led the way with figures of 2-26 and was named man of the match, while Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja also took two wickets each.
Rajasthan next take on Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday, while Chennai host Punjab Kings on Friday.
Reuters
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