Chris Gayle Launches 1st Reaction After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks His IPL Reco – Chris Gayle Reacts to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaking His IPL Record

The Rise of a New T20 Phenomenon

The Indian Premier League has always been a breeding ground for young talent, but what transpired in the IPL 2026 Eliminator between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be remembered for decades. Opening the batting for the Royals, the 15-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the cricketing world by storm with a display of raw power-hitting that left fans, pundits, and seasoned veterans completely speechless.

Sooryavanshi hammered a belligerent 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, driving the Rajasthan Royals to a massive total of 243 runs in their 20 overs. This breathtaking knock laid the perfect foundation for a convincing 47-run victory in the crucial knockout fixture, keeping the Royals’ championship dreams alive. However, the biggest talking point of the evening was how the teenage prodigy systematically dismantled one of the most formidable records in IPL history, previously held by none other than the legendary Chris Gayle.

Shattering Chris Gayle’s 14-Year Legacy

For more than a decade, West Indies and IPL icon Chris Gayle was widely considered the undisputed king of sixes. The talismanic left-hander scripted history during the 2012 IPL season when he smashed an incredible 59 sixes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Many believed that this towering milestone would remain untouched, given the supreme hitting ability required to sustain such momentum over an entire tournament.

Enter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. In only his second IPL season, the explosive young batter has redefined what is possible on the cricket field. During his explosive knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi cleared the boundary twelve times, registering 12 towering sixes in a single match. This incredible hitting spree took his total tally for the season to an astonishing 65 sixes, comfortably surpassing Gayle’s record of 59. With the Rajasthan Royals still active in the tournament, the youngster has the opportunity to stretch this historic record even further.

The ‘Universe Boss’ Passes the Baton

It did not take long for the original ‘Six Machine’ to acknowledge the spectacular achievement. Showing the grace of a true champion, Chris Gayle took to social media to laud the Indian batting prodigy. Gayle, who is affectionately known as the ‘Universe Boss,’ admitted to being awestruck by the sheer elegance and effortless power of the 15-year-old’s batting display.

Writing on the social media platform X, Gayle officially passed the baton to the rising star from Bihar. “What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! New Six machine,” Gayle posted, celebrating the teenager for breathing new life into the art of T20 hitting. Such high praise from arguably the greatest T20 batter of all time speaks volumes about the impact Sooryavanshi has made in a very short period.

Andre Russell Silences the Critics and Declares Admiration

Gayle was not the only West Indian superstar to stand up and applaud. Kolkata Knight Riders legend and veteran finisher Andre Russell also shared his admiration for the young left-hander. Russell addressed the external chatter regarding the player’s age, asserting that raw talent and performances on the big stage are all that truly matter.

Taking to Instagram, Russell praised Sooryavanshi’s uncomplicated and aggressive approach to the game. He highlighted the youngster’s ‘see the ball, hit the ball’ mindset, which has troubled even the most experienced bowling lineups in the tournament. Russell openly admitted to being one of Sooryavanshi’s biggest admirers, cementing the youngster’s status as a favorite among T20 royalty.

A Heartbreaking Near-Miss at Another Historic Landmark

While the night was filled with celebration, it also carried a moment of agonizing near-miss. Sooryavanshi had raced to 97 runs off just 28 deliveries. Had he managed to bring up his century on the 29th ball, he would have broken another legendary record held by Chris Gayle—the fastest century in IPL history, which stands at 30 balls.

Unfortunately, the teenager was dismissed on the 29th delivery for 97, missing the milestone by the narrowest of margins. Nevertheless, the maturity and fearlessness he displayed earned him standing ovations across the stadium and the respect of global cricket stars. To perform with such composure under the intense pressure of an IPL Eliminator is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Chase for the Orange Cap

With 680 runs already under his belt this season, the Rajasthan Royals mainstay is not just hitting sixes; he is also scoring heavily and consistently. He remains one of the front-runners to claim the prestigious Orange Cap for IPL 2026. As the tournament reaches its business end, all eyes will be on this young prodigy to see if he can carry his team all the way to the title while continuing to rewrite the record books.