IPL 2026: Sooryavanshi's stormy 78, Jurel's sensible 81 hand RR 4th win in a row after crushing RCB by 6 wickets

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turned beast again to help Rajasthan Royals (RR) shoot down the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets in Guwahati to record their fourth straight win in the IPL 2026.

RR bulldoze RCB by 6 wickets

Batting first RCB posted 201/8. But the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi made the towering total look miniscule with his blistering 26-ball 78 as RR chased down the target in 18 overs. After Sooryavanshi's dismissal, RR did suffer a mini collapse, but Dhruv Jurel ensured the team race to the finishing with 12 balls to spare with his sensible knock of 81.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wreaks mayhem in Guwahati

Following the rain delay in Guwahati, the stadium was treated to Sooryavanshi's special, whose explosive hitting effectively broke the back of the chase. His impact was so profound that by the time he was dismissed, RR required a mere 73 runs from 71 deliveries. Although the team suffered a few quick wickets shortly after his departure, Dhruv Jurel stepped up to stabilise the innings, steering the pursuit with a composed and well-timed half-century to ensure victory.

ALSO READ: Stephen Fleming reacts to CSK's criticism amidst shoddy campaign in IPL 2026, says 'I am well aware...'

Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking performance propelled Rajasthan to a staggering 97/1 by the end of the powerplay. This remarkable total set a new benchmark for the franchise as their highest-ever powerplay score in IPL history and established the highest powerplay figure for any team in the 2026 season. His ability to dominate the opening overs turned a potentially tricky chase into a showcase of aggressive batting.

While the opening duo of Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal had remained unbeaten through the powerplay in previous matches this season, the dynamic shifted early today when Jaiswal, the Orange Cap holder, fell for 13. Undeterred by the loss of his partner, Sooryavanshi took full control, dismantling the Bengaluru bowling attack with eight boundaries and seven sixes. His masterclass was so dominant that by the time he walked back to the pavilion, he had overtaken Jaiswal to become the new leading run-scorer of the tournament.

Rajat Patidar's efforts in vain

Earlier, Rajat Patidar delivered a vital captain’s performance to anchor RCB to a big total of 201/8. Patidar stepped up when the team was reeling from a disastrous start. After losing Phil Salt for a golden duck and seeing Virat Kohli depart for a quick 32, the innings began to crumble as RCB slumped to 58 for 3 and eventually 76 for 5. With the side under immense pressure, Patidar took it upon himself to steady the ship and prevent a total collapse.

Displaying remarkable composure, the skipper focused on strike rotation and stabilizing the middle order. He pieced together crucial, albeit modest, stands with Tim David and Romario Shepherd, effectively stopping the flow of wickets and laying a foundation for a late-innings surge. This disciplined approach allowed the team to recover their footing before the final overs, shifting the responsibility from survival to aggression.

Once settled, Patidar unleashed an offensive against the Rajasthan bowlers. He notably targeted spinner Ravi Bishnoi, clearing the ropes twice in the 17th over to decisively shift the momentum in RCB's favor. Upon reaching his first half-century of the season, he continued to accelerate, finding the boundary with ease against Nandre Burger. His innings was characterized by a healthy balance of power and precision, as he eventually fell for 63 off 40 balls, featuring four boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 157.50.

The captain’s exit, caught by Donovan Ferreira off Sandeep Sharma, did not end the momentum. He had shared a blistering 41-run partnership off just 19 balls with Venkatesh Iyer, who continued the onslaught. Iyer’s unbeaten cameo of 29 from 15 deliveries ensured that RCB capitalised on the platform Patidar built, propelling the team to a competitive total of 201/8, which wasn't enough to notch win against RR.