RCB castoff wreaks havoc with 69-ball 195 riding on 21 sixes in T20 match ahead of IPL 2026

The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Swastik Chikara delivered a record-breaking performance in the Ayodhya Premier League. This explosive innings comes shortly after Chikara went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, having been released by the defending champions earlier in the season.

Swastik Chikara wreaks havoc with 69-ball 195 in Ayodhya Premier League

Representing the Gomti Thunder, Chikara and his opening partner, Priyanshu Pandey, put on a masterclass by batting through the entire innings. Together, they amassed a staggering total of 307 runs against the Hindon Titans. While Pandey played a superb knock to finish unbeaten on 100 off 54 balls, it was Chikara who dominated the proceedings with a whirlwind 195 off just 69 deliveries.

Chikara's innings was a masterclass in boundary hitting, as he accounted for 126 runs in sixes alone. His final tally included 21 sixes and 11 fours, highlighting his incredible strike rate. The drama peaked in the final over; needing 27 runs for a double century with only five balls remaining, Chikara nearly reached the milestone by smashing three sixes and a four, ending the innings with a towering maximum to cap off his historic performance.

Gomti Thunder thrash Hindon Titans

In the run chase, the Titans were eventually dismissed for 218 as the Gomti Thunder bowling attack maintained control. Shekhar Sirohi provided some resistance with a quick-fire 68 off 33 balls, but he lacked sustained support. The Thunder’s victory was anchored by Ritik Srivastava and Aravindra Verma, who claimed three wickets apiece, while Atif Sajid contributed an economical spell of 2/13 to seal the win.

Swastik Chikara, a self-proclaimed disciple of Virender Sehwag’s aggressive batting style, first gained national attention during the 2024 Uttar Pradesh T20 League. Representing the Meerut Mavericks, he topped the scoring charts with 499 runs. His efficiency was particularly notable, as he maintained a strike rate of 186 and cleared the boundary 47 times—averaging more than one six for every over he faced.

Following his breakout league performance, Chikara was called up to the Uttar Pradesh squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, though he struggled to find his rhythm, totaling just 15 runs in four outings. Despite this dip in form, his raw potential sparked a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025, with RCB eventually securing his services.

While he was a member of the squad that delivered RCB’s historic maiden IPL title in 2025, Chikara did not make his tournament debut during the campaign. He was subsequently released ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and failed to find a buyer.