Rajasthan Royals batting superstar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieved more milestones during his blazing knock of 78 runs off 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL match on Friday.
He once again got to his half-century off 15 balls after achieving the same feat earlier this season against Chennai Super Kings. Among the Indian batters, Yusuf Pathan has also scored the fastest fifty off 15 balls, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have scored half-centuries off 14 and 13 balls, respectively.
Fastest fifty by an Indian in IPL (by balls)
13 – Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) vs KKR, Kolkata, 2023
14 – KL Rahul (PBKS) vs DC, Mohali, 2018
15 – Yusuf Pathan (KKR) vs SRH, Kolkata, 2014
15 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) vs CSK, Guwahati, 2026
15 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) vs RCB, Guwahati, 2026
The young batting sensation also equalled a record set by Jos Buttler by scoring a half-century within the first six overs for the Royals in the IPL. Jaiswal has done it twice, while Michael Lumb, Ben Stokes and Nitish Rana have each achieved it once during their time with the team.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a fighting half-century, helping his side post 201 for 8 against the Royals in a rain-delayed match on Friday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers kept things tight. Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi and Brijesh Sharma picked up two wickets each, putting RCB under pressure early on. Patidar then stepped up with a solid 63 off 40 balls to steady the innings.
Virat Kohli added 32, while Romario Shepherd scored 22 and Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with 29, as RCB managed to put up a competitive total. The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi smashed 78 off just 26 balls and Dhruv Jurel scored an unbeaten 81 as the Royals chased down RCB’s target of 201 with two overs to spare.
