RR chase 223 against PBKS as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hits fastest 400 in IPL history

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary rise in IPL 2026 shows no signs of slowing. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener added yet another milestone to his breakthrough season, becoming the fastest player to reach 400 runs in an IPL campaign during their clash against Punjab Kings on April 28.

Sooryavanshi reached the landmark in just 167 balls, eclipsing the previous benchmarks set by Andre Russell and Abhishek Sharma, and underlining the breathtaking tempo at which he has batted this season.

He set the tone in emphatic fashion, hammering 43 off just 16 balls at the top of the order as Rajasthan Royals chased a daunting 223-run target. By the time he fell in the fourth over, the damage was already done — RR had surged to 51, leaving Punjab Kings immediately under pressure.

That explosive start proved decisive. Rajasthan Royals completed the chase in 19.2 overs, sealing a six-wicket victory and handing Punjab Kings their first defeat of the season in Mullanpur.

Fastest to 400 runs in an IPL season (by balls faced):
• 167 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)
• 188 – Andre Russell (2019)
• 195 – Abhishek Sharma (2024)
• 197 – Nicholas Pooran (2025)
• 200 – Glenn Maxwell (2014)

The record reflects not just consistency, but relentless aggression. With over 400 runs already and a strike rate soaring above 200, Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the most dominant batters of the season. His efforts also saw him reclaim the Orange Cap, moving to the top of the run charts.

A blistering start sets up the chase

Chasing 223, Rajasthan Royals needed early momentum — and Sooryavanshi delivered instantly. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he tore into the bowling attack, propelling the team past 50 within the first four overs.

Jaiswal maintained the tempo after his partner’s dismissal, crafting a fluent 51 off 27 balls. The middle order then ensured there were no late stumbles, with Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey combining for a vital 77-run partnership to guide RR home.

Earlier, Marcus Stoinis had powered Punjab Kings to a formidable 222/4 with an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls. But on a night dominated by Rajasthan’s fearless batting, even that proved insufficient.

‘Amazing to bat with him’

Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach has already drawn praise from across the cricketing world, including seasoned names like Ravichandran Ashwin.

Opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal echoed that admiration after the match.

“Of course, it's amazing. I really enjoyed batting with him and he's playing amazing. I’m always happy watching from the other end, the way he's hitting the ball,” Jaiswal said.

“I don’t think I’m older — I’m still very young. But the way he plays at his age… I don’t know what to say, to be honest,” he added.

At just 15, Sooryavanshi is not just breaking records — he is redefining expectations. If IPL 2026 has revealed anything, it is that this is only the beginning of a remarkable journey.