• Source:JND

GT vs RR IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: Rajasthan Royals' star opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has carved his name into cricketing history during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, becoming the very first batter to smash 500 runs during the high-stakes powerplay in a single year. The electrifying teen sensation conquered another summit, achieving this landmark in a season already defined by unforgettable milestones and unbreakable nerves.

He reached this impossibly high bar just days after thrilling fans with a breathtaking, match-winning blitz of 97 runs off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, coming heartbreakingly close—just three runs short—of smashing the fastest hundred the tournament has ever seen. The youngster conquered this milestone in New Chandigarh and has eclipsed some of the most aggressive seasons in the shortest format. Apart from Sooryavanshi, Sunrisers Hyderabad's David Warner is the other batter who powered his way to 467 runs during the powerplay in SRH’s IPL 2016 winning stint. He had smashed 467 runs during the power play in their IPL 2016 winning stint.

Most powerplay runs in a single T20 tournament:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR, IPL 2026) – 500+ runs

David Warner (SRH, IPL 2016) – 467 runs

Travis Head (SRH, IPL 2024) – 402 runs

Sai Sudharsan (GT, IPL 2025) – 402 runs

Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers, IPL 2009) – 382 runs

ALSO READ: GT vs RR Qualifier 2: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes First Uncapped Player To Smash 700 Runs In A Single IPL Season

HOW SOORYAVANSHI REACHED THE 500-RUN MARK

Unlike his earlier explosive knocks, Vaibhav battled visible nerves and mounting pressure against the Shubman Gill-led side, every ball a test of his spirit and skill.

Pacers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada arrived armed with a battle plan, delivering searing deliveries and unrelenting pressure to the teen sensation. Each one felt like an interrogation of his resolve. For the first time in recent games, Sooryavanshi was forced to dig deep, holding his ground before daring to go all-in. The strategy of the Gujarat-based franchise unfolded clearly. After watching the youngster dismantle SRH’s bowlers with his match-winning 97 off 29 balls, their main aim became stifling his momentum during the power play. Their plan initially stymied him. The Rajasthan-based franchise also suffered setbacks as Yashasvi Jaiswal departed after scoring one run, and Dhruv Jurel perished after tallying seven runs during the power play. But these blows barely rattled Sooryavanshi. Gujarat scored seven runs during the power play. But that didn't affect Sooryavanshi much.

The tide of the match turned dramatically during Siraj's third over, a sudden swell of tension and hope rippling through players and fans alike.

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With the Riyan Parag-led side under immense pressure, the youngster roared back to life, cracking 21 runs in a single, pulse-pounding over. Cheers erupted as he reached his 500-run milestone during the final two balls, a crowning moment that electrified the stadium and echoed across the season.


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