Sunrisers Hyderabad Prepares for IPL Eliminator Against Rajasthan Royals

As the IPL Eliminator approaches, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins reveals the team's strategic plans to counter the explosive talent of Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With a history of six consecutive wins against RR, Hyderabad enters the match with confidence. Cummins reflects on past encounters, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies against standout players. Vaibhav's remarkable performance this season, including a record-setting century, adds to the excitement. Discover how both teams are preparing for this crucial showdown.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 27, 2026, 15:45 IST

Mullanpur: Strategic Preparations for Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Pat Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has emphasized the importance of having multiple bowling strategies ready for the young sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, of the Rajasthan Royals, as they gear up for the IPL Eliminator. Cummins noted that for a player like Vaibhav, who has the potential to turn the game around in a matter of overs, it is essential to have not just a Plan B, but also a Plan C. This season, Sunrisers Hyderabad has triumphed over Rajasthan Royals in both encounters during the league phase.

Learning from Past Encounters

Cummins highlighted that Vaibhav's explosive century against Hyderabad in Jaipur served as a crucial lesson for his bowlers. He stated, "As bowlers, we must remain true to our strengths. However, when faced with players who can dominate the game, it becomes necessary to devise specific strategies. We have tailored a plan for Vaibhav. Despite his century in our last match, there were instances where we managed to contain him. We will draw from that experience moving forward."

Hyderabad's Winning Streak

Entering the Eliminator, Hyderabad carries the momentum of six consecutive victories against Rajasthan. They have not suffered a defeat to RR since 2022. In their initial match this season, they secured a comfortable win by 57 runs, bolstered by an impressive eight-wicket haul from Praful Hinge and Saqib Hussain.

In their second encounter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi posed a significant threat with a stunning 103 runs off just 37 balls, yet Hyderabad managed to secure the win. This remarkable innings marked the second-fastest IPL century by an Indian, trailing only Abhishek Sharma's 36-ball hundred.

The 15-year-old has been on a scoring spree, amassing 583 runs in just 14 innings at an astonishing strike rate exceeding 232. He has even outperformed renowned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood. In the last match against SRH, Vaibhav began his innings by hitting Cummins for a six on the very first ball he faced.