In the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a standout performance, scoring 96 runs, but his efforts were not enough to save the Rajasthan Royals from elimination. The Royals managed to set a target of 215 runs, but their opponents successfully chased it down with eight balls to spare. Following the match, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his heartbreak for Sooryavanshi, describing the young player as a 'little kid' whose disappointment was evident after the loss. Ashwin emphasized the lack of support Sooryavanshi received from his teammates, noting that aside from Ravindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira, no one significantly contributed to the score. He criticized the team's overall performance, stating they were never truly in contention during the match. Despite the defeat, Ashwin commended Sooryavanshi's talent and determination, highlighting his crucial role in keeping the Royals competitive throughout the game.