IPL 2026 [WATCH]: Hardik Pandya applauds Vaibhav Suryavanshi with special gesture post RR vs MI match

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 continues to deliver high-octane drama, and the 13th match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was no exception. On April 07, 2026, fans witnessed a rain-curtailed, 11-over-a-side sprint between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Mumbai Indians (MI). While the scoreboard reflected a clinical victory for the Royals, the post-match visuals captured a moment of pure sportsmanship that transcended the rivalry.

Hardik Pandya shows heartfelt admiration for Vaibhav Suryavanshi post RR vs MI game

In the high-pressure world of the IPL, rivalries are often intense, but the post-match handshakes offered a refreshing sight. As the players lined up, Hardik Pandya sought out the young sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. In a viral moment, Pandya didn’t just offer a standard handshake; he tapped the teenager on the chest with a warm smile, a ‘special gesture’ of validation for the youngster’s fearless blitzkrieg earlier in the evening.

During the post-match presentation, Pandya was vocal about his admiration for the 15-year-old.

“It’s quite fascinating to see a 16 or 17-year-old boy playing the way he played. At the same point of time, discussing so much about him in the preparation leading up to the game [is surreal]. So yeah, amazing to see the way he bats, the kind of fearlessness he has, the kind of shots he has. I wish him absolute good luck in the future,” Hardik remarked.

Suryavanshi’s cameo of 39 runs off just 14 balls, featuring two fours and five towering sixes, set the tone for the Royals. His strike rate of 278.57 left the Mumbai bowlers searching for answers and forced the opposition captain to admit that the teenager was a primary focus of their pre-game tactical meetings.

Here’s the video:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed Hardik Pandya 😎 🩷

Batting esi karo ki ….opposition bhi respect de 🫡🩷 pic.twitter.com/XS5hTWSrIX

— Sonu Jaat • Cricket (@TheSonuJaat) April 8, 2026

Also WATCH: Tilak Varma’s spectacular catch on the boundary line removes Vaibhav Suryavanshi during RR vs MI clash

RR crushed MI in a rain-shortened 11-over shootout

The match itself was a whirlwind of boundaries and wickets. After rain delayed the start and reduced the contest to 11 overs per side, the Rajasthan Royals’ batters came out with a clear license to thrill. Opening the innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal proved why he is one of the most dangerous T20 openers in the world, smashing an unbeaten 77 off just 32 balls, featuring 6 fours and 10 towering sixes.

Jaiswal was ably supported by the young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hammered 39 runs off 14 deliveries (including 2 fours and 5 sixes) at a strike rate of 278.57. Their explosive 80-run opening stand propelled RR to a daunting 150/3. Mumbai’s bowling struggled under the onslaught, with Shardul Thakur conceding 36 runs in his 2 overs, though AM Ghazanfar managed to claw back two wickets.

In response, Mumbai Indians’ chase never found its rhythm. Chasing a target of 151 (a required rate of 13.72), MI lost wickets at catastrophic intervals. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger struck early, removing Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav within the first two overs. Sandeep Sharma claimed the prized scalp of Rohit Sharma (5) via an LBW that survived a DRS challenge.

Though Sherfane Rutherford provided a late spark with a rapid 25 off 8 balls, the mountain was too high to climb. MI finished their 11 overs at 123/9, falling short by 27 runs. The RR bowling unit, led by Sandeep (2/6) and Ravi Bishnoi (2/25), ensured the Royals remained at the top of the table, while Jaiswal rightfully earned the Player of the Match award.

Also WATCH: Vaibhav Suryavanshi welcomes Jasprit Bumrah with a stunning six during RR vs MI clash at IPL 2026