Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal carved his name into an elite power-hitting club as he completed 100 sixes in the IPL, headlining a dominant 27-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rain-curtailed clash in Guwahati on Tuesday.The landmark came during a dazzling unbeaten 77, his 17th IPL half-century, as RR piled up 150/3 in a match reduced to 11 overs per side due to a long rain delay at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Jaiswal’s knock, studded with 10 fours and four sixes, not only sealed his personal milestone but also propelled RR to their third straight win, taking them to the top of the table.In doing so, the 24-year-old joined an exclusive Royals list of six-hitters, becoming only the fourth batter from the franchise to breach the 100-mark, behind Sanju Samson (192), Jos Buttler (135) and Shane Watson (109).
100-plus sixes for RR in the IPL
- 192 – Sanju Samson
- 135 – Jos Buttler
- 109 – Shane Watson
- 100 – Yashasvi Jaiswal
If Jaiswal provided the foundation, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi supplied the fireworks. The teenage sensation smashed 39 off just 14 balls, fearlessly taking on Jasprit Bumrah with two towering sixes in a breathtaking cameo that underlined his growing reputation.Jaiswal set the tone from the outset, plundering boundaries in the opening over before seamlessly shifting gears. Reflecting on his approach, he said: “With only three overs of powerplay, I was thinking who I can take down and how I can maximise it. When I saw Chahar Bhai, I thought I could go after him. Then Bumrah Bhai came in, so I felt maybe Vaibhav can take him on while I pick others.”The opener emphasised adaptability as the key to his success. “It’s not easy switching formats, but I try to prepare well and keep developing new shots. I just try to understand the situation and play for my team,” he added.Mumbai’s chase never gathered momentum after early blows. Ryan Rickelton fell in the first over, while Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav followed cheaply as Rajasthan’s bowlers tightened the screws. Ravi Bishnoi struck twice in an over, dismissing Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, effectively ending the contest.Jaiswal also reserved praise for his young opening partner. “The way Vaibhav is playing is tremendous. We keep talking about how to take bowlers on. I just tell him to play freely — khel bindaas,” he said with a smile.
