<a href="https://cricket.express/vaibhav-sooryavanshi-set-for-india-a-tri-series-2026-full-schedule-squads-and-live-streaming-details/" title="Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Set for India A Tri-Series 2026: Full Schedule, Squads and Live Streaming Details”>Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks Chris Gayle’s Record:Chris Gayle hailed Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the ‘New Six Machine’ after his explosive 97 off 29 balls against SRH in IPL 2026 Eliminator. The RR star broke Gayle’s long-standing sixes record in stunning fashion.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks Chris Gayle’s Record: Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to take the cricketing world by storm, and now even Chris Gayle has joined the growing list of admirers after the youngster’s jaw-dropping performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator.
The 15-year-old opener delivered one of the greatest knockout innings in Indian Premier League history, smashing 97 runs off just 29 balls at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur. His fearless assault powered Rajasthan Royals into Qualifier 2 and left cricket fans, experts, and former legends stunned.
But perhaps the biggest recognition came from the “Universe Boss” himself.
After watching Sooryavanshi rewrite the record books, West Indies legend Chris Gayle reacted on social media and gave the RR batter a brand-new nickname — “New Six Machine.”
Chris Gayle Hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Explosive Knock
Shortly after Rajasthan Royals defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, Chris Gayle took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the teenage sensation.
Gayle shared screenshots from Sooryavanshi’s breathtaking innings and applauded his fearless hitting ability.
“What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! New Six machine,” Gayle wrote.
The post quickly went viral among cricket fans worldwide, with many calling it the ultimate passing of the torch from one legendary six-hitter to another.
For years, Gayle was considered the most destructive batter in T20 history. His power-hitting records in the IPL looked untouchable.
Now, a 15-year-old Indian batter is beginning to challenge that legacy.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Stunning 97 Leaves SRH Helpless
The IPL 2026 Eliminator carried enormous pressure for Rajasthan Royals, but Sooryavanshi treated the knockout clash like a personal highlight reel.
Opening the innings against a dangerous SRH bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Eshan Malinga, the teenager attacked from the very first over.
He hammered bowlers to every corner of the ground, combining fearless innovation with extraordinary timing.
Sooryavanshi eventually smashed:
- 97 runs
- 29 balls
- 5 fours
- 12 massive sixes
His strike rate crossed 330 during the innings, completely destroying Hyderabad’s bowling plans.
The left-hander looked destined for a historic century before falling agonizingly short on 97.
Attempting an upper-cut against Praful Hinge, Sooryavanshi found Smaran Ravichandran at third man, who completed an excellent catch to end the incredible innings.
Despite missing the century, the knock instantly became one of the most iconic innings ever played in IPL playoff history.
Sooryavanshi Breaks Chris Gayle’s Historic IPL Record
While the cricket world celebrated the innings itself, the bigger headline was the record Sooryavanshi shattered during the match.
With 12 sixes against SRH, the Rajasthan Royals opener officially broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a single IPL season.
Gayle had smashed 59 sixes during his legendary IPL 2012 campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru — a record that survived for 14 years.
Now, Sooryavanshi has surpassed it with 65 sixes in IPL 2026.
Most Sixes in a Single IPL Season
- 65 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (IPL 2026)
- 59 – Chris Gayle (IPL 2012)
- 52 – Andre Russell (IPL 2019)
- 51 – Chris Gayle (IPL 2013)
The achievement becomes even more unbelievable considering Sooryavanshi is only 15 years old and playing his very first IPL season.
Teenager Also Sets All-Time T20 Record
The Rajasthan Royals batter did not stop at breaking IPL records.
Sooryavanshi also became the player with the most sixes ever hit in a single edition of any T20 tournament worldwide.
That means he has now surpassed every batter in every domestic T20 league across the globe.
Most Sixes in a Single T20 Tournament
The record highlights just how extraordinary Sooryavanshi’s season has become.
From being viewed as an exciting youngster at the start of IPL 2026, he is now statistically producing the greatest six-hitting campaign in T20 history.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Narrowly Misses Gayle’s Fastest IPL Century Record
As incredible as the innings was, it could have become even more historic.
When Sooryavanshi reached 97, he stood only one big hit away from equaling or breaking Chris Gayle’s fastest IPL century record.
Gayle famously smashed a century in just 30 balls against Pune Warriors India during IPL 2012 — an innings still regarded as one of the greatest T20 knocks ever played.
Had Sooryavanshi cleared the boundary off Praful Hinge’s delivery, he would have reached his hundred in only 29 balls.
That would have made him the fastest centurion in IPL history.
Instead, he fell heartbreakingly short by just three runs.
Still, fans inside the stadium gave the youngster a standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout after producing a once-in-a-generation innings.
Rajasthan Royals March Into Qualifier 2
Thanks largely to Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting, Rajasthan Royals defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad and kept their IPL 2026 title hopes alive.
Riyan Parag’s side will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 for a place in the final.
Interestingly, Gujarat Titans enter the match low on confidence after suffering a crushing 92-run defeat against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1.
That result could give Rajasthan Royals a psychological advantage heading into the knockout clash.
However, much will again depend on Sooryavanshi.
If the teenager continues his unbelievable form, RR could suddenly become serious contenders for the IPL 2026 title.
IPL 2026 Now Belongs to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Every IPL season creates new stars.
But what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing at 15 years old feels completely unprecedented.
He is not simply scoring runs.
He is breaking records once considered impossible, outperforming legends of the game, and redefining fearless batting in T20 cricket.
The fact that Chris Gayle himself publicly acknowledged the youngster with a new nickname only underlines the scale of the achievement.
“New Six Machine” may have started as a social media reaction, but after IPL 2026, it could become a permanent part of cricket history.
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