In a high-scoring encounter with multiple swings in momentum, Rajasthan Royals (RR) continued their unbeaten run by chasing down a formidable target of 202 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 16 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. 

While Rajat Patidar’s captain’s knock steered RCB to a massive 201/8, it was the teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who stole the headlines with a blistering 78 off just 26 balls to lead RR’s pursuit of the target. With this victory, RR made it four wins out of four to begin the season - the third time they have done so - to lead the league with eight points.

After a rain-delayed start in Guwahati, RR opted to bowl first. The decision bore immediate fruit as Jofra Archer produced a cracking delivery to dismiss Phil Salt for a golden duck.

 

 

 

 

 

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Despite the early setback, Virat Kohli (32 off 16) and Devdutt Padikkal counter-attacked in some style before Archer and Ravi Bishnoi responded to leave RCB reeling. Archer sent back the in-form Padikkal for 14, before Bishnoi struck in both his first overs with the wickets of Kohli and Krunal Pandya and RCB were pegged back at 62/4.

The innings was revived by skipper Rajat Patidar, who played a quintessential anchor-turned-aggressor role. Patidar’s 63 off 40 balls was the backbone of the RCB total, featuring four towering sixes. While Jitesh Sharma and Tim David - on the back of his blistering 70*(25) against CSK - also fell cheaply, Patidar firmly held one end. After Romario Shepherd’s quick cameo of 22(11), Patidar changed gears and brought up his 50 off 35 deliveries en route to 63.

 

 

 

 

 

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Just when RCB needed a big finish, Venkatesh Iyer stepped up with quick-fire 29* off 15, including two sixes and a four in the last over propelled the score past the 200-mark. For RR, Bishnoi (2/32) and Archer (2/33) were the pick of the bowlers.

Chasing 202, the Royals needed a fast start, and they got exactly that through 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The youngster went berserk from the outset, even going after the highly experienced pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, just a couple of days since he aced the challenge of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. He brought up a sensational 15-ball half-century—his second of the season—leaving the RCB bowlers with no margin for error. Sooryavanshi smashed a combined four fours and three sixes off Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar’s consecutive overs in the powerplay.

1️⃣5️⃣ years of age. 1️⃣5️⃣ deliveries for a half-century 🤯

🎥 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi taking on the best in the business with ease 🤌

What a special talent 💎

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/X76bJjmq1j#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #RRvRCB | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/6TCpgCMnjy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2026

By the time Sooryavanshi was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 78(26), including eight fours and seven sixes, caught by Kohli off Krunal Pandya, he had already placed the Royals firmly in the driver’s seat. His second-wicket partnership with Dhruv Jurel (who contributed a steady hand during the powerplay) ensured RR reached a staggering 97/1 within the first six overs.

The match saw a brief twist in the tale when Krunal Pandya struck twice in two balls, dismissing both the set Sooryavanshi and the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer for a golden duck. Hazlewood returned to remove RR skipper Riyan Parag (3 off 5) in the very next over and the chase suddenly looked shaky at 134/4.

However, the depth and calmness in RR’s batting came to the fore. Despite the flurry of wickets, the early damage inflicted by Sooryavanshi meant the required rate remained manageable. With help of a steady hand from the experienced Ravindra Jadeja, who finished unbeaten on 24, Jurel took matters into his own hands. He brought up his fifty off 25 deliveries and remained unbeaten on 81(43) to guide RR home with two overs to spare.

Courtesy of their fourth win on the trot to start the season, RR maintained their lead at the top of the points table.

𝙐𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣 & 𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 🫡

A sensational win for #RR to sign off from Guwahati in style 🩷

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/X76bJjmq1j#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #RRvRCB | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/eNq8gglcrL

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2026