Rajasthan Royals (AP Image)
NEW DELHI: As the dust settles on the IPL 2026 qualifiers and attention turns to Sunday’s grand final, one name continues to dominate conversations across the cricket world – Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Should Rajasthan Royals focus on improving their middle order for next season?
The Rajasthan Royals teenager may have crashed out of the tournament after defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, but he leaves with his reputation enhanced, his stock soaring and the admiration of fans and pundits alike. At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi is not just the breakout star of the season; It can be said that he was the face of IPL 2026.
For Rajasthan Royals, the campaign ended just one step away from the final. However, given the twists and turns of the season, reaching the second playoffs represents a commendable achievement.
RR showed resilience, recovering from a mid-season slump and discovering generational talent that could shape their future for years to come.The season that belongs to SooryavanshiEvery IPL season produces some memorable stories. IPL 2026 belongs to Sooryavanshi.The teenage opener finished the season with 776 runs from 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30. He smashed a century and two fifties while redefining the boundaries of gritty batting.
Even with just one more match to play for GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, Sooryavanshi entered the final weekend as the tournament’s top run-scorer.What made his numbers even more amazing was the way he scored. Pitchers arrived with plans and field positions, but few found answers. The youngster attacked pace and spin with equal confidence and often changed the course of matches within the Powerplay itself.His signature performances of the season came in the playoffs. First came a stunning 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, one of the most devastating innings in IPL history. Then, when Rajasthan needed another miracle in Qualifier 2, he sent down a brilliant 96 off 47 balls against the Gujarat Titans.They both reinforce one thing: Sooryavanshi operates on a level rarely seen from someone so young.A strong start, a dramatic collapse, and a spirited recoveryThe RR campaign can be divided into three distinct phases.The Royals started out as genuine title contenders, winning their first four games and quickly establishing themselves among the league leaders. Their aggressive batting style and improved bowling attack made them one of the most balanced teams in the competition.However, the momentum did not continue.A devastating run of six defeats in eight matches pushed them towards the brink of elimination. At one point, it looked like RR would squander their excellent start and miss the playoffs altogether.The most disappointing aspect is that even an exceptional individual performance was not enough. During this difficult phase, Sooryavanshi unleashed a stunning century off 36 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, ending up on the losing side.With two matches remaining, Rajasthan needed wins in both matches to keep their playoff hopes alive.The pressure was immense, but the Royals responded. Sooryavanshi hit 93 against Lucknow Super Giants in a must-win encounter before the team registered another crucial win against Mumbai Indians. Although the teenager fell short in that contest, Jofra Archer came up with a comprehensive match-winning display to secure RR’s place in the playoffs.They eventually finished fourth with eight wins from 14 league matches.The playoff run showed the character of the Royal FamilyQualifying for the playoffs was an achievement in itself, considering the position RR found midway through the tournament. But the royal family isn’t finished yet.They demolished Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, largely buoyed by another masterclass from Sooryavanshi. The victory demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit and its ability to perform under pressure.Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans was perhaps the perfect summary of RR’s season. Sooryavanshi produced other unusual roles, but GT’s superior depth and experience ultimately proved decisive.Despite scoring a record goal, RR were unable to stop the formidable opening duo of Gill and Sudharsan, whose record partnership took GT to the final.The defeat was disappointing, but it also highlighted how close Rajasthan Royals came to winning the tournament.Pros: Established title contenderThe advent of SuryavanshiThe biggest positive is obvious. Finding a player capable of scoring 776 runs with a strikeout rate above 230 changes the future of the franchise. RR now has one of the most exciting talents in world cricket and can build their batting unit around him.Archer effectJofra Archer provided exactly what Rajasthan needed from a spearhead. The fast bowler took 25 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 22.36.
Away from the wicket, he provided leadership, breakthroughs at key moments and valuable lower-order contributions. His performance was instrumental in keeping RR competitive throughout the season.Gurel consistencyDhruv Gurriel has quietly enjoyed an excellent campaign. The wicket-keeper batsman scored 515 runs from 16 matches at an average of 36.79 and a strike rate of 154.65, hitting six half-centuries.
His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed made him a crucial member of the batting unit.An attitude that never says dieMany teams would have folded after losing six of eight games midway through the season. Rajasthan did not. They fought back and qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the second playoff. This flexibility should serve them well moving forward.Cons: Areas that need attentionJaiswal’s inconsistent seasonYashasvi Jaiswal produced flashes of brilliance but never reached the levels expected of him.
His 427 pitches in 16 games were respectable, but RR wanted more consistency from a player capable of controlling strikeouts.Fragile middle and lower systemThe biggest weakness of the RR campaign was the lack of sustained contributions beyond the top order. Donovan Ferreira scored 317 points.
Ryan Baraj
I managed 309 and
Ravindra Jadeja
266 were added. Moreover, Rajasthan received very little batting support. More often than not, the side became too reliant on Suryavanshi and Gurriel.Lack of bowling support for ArcherArcher carried much of the bowling burden. Brijesh Sharma and Nandre Berger took 14 wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi and Jadeja finished with 11 and 10 respectively. These numbers are useful but not enough for a side targeting the title. RR lacked a second bowler capable of consistently sharing the workload with Archer.What’s next for Rajasthan Royals?Despite the sadness of missing out on the final, Rajasthan Royals should look at IPL 2026 as a step forward.The priority ahead of next season will be to strengthen the middle order and find another wicket-taking fast bowler to partner Archer. Greater batting depth would reduce reliance on Sooryavanshi, while a stronger attack would make the bowling unit more of a threat in pressure situations.More importantly, RR has discovered a player around whom an era can be built.The Royals may not have made it to the top flight, but IPL 2026 will be remembered as the season in which a 15-year-old phenomenon captured the imagination of cricket fans everywhere. If RR can address some key weaknesses, Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise could become the basis of a title-winning campaign in 2027.
