SRH vs RR IPL 2026 Eliminator: Rajasthan Royals star all-rounder Dasun Shanaka revealed that although captain Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja battled through some niggles, they are primed to feature during the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur. They admitted they should have clinched playoff qualification well before the last day of the group stage.
Now that they have qualified, the Riyan Parag-led side aims to conquer the Hyderabad-based franchise and charge deep into this tournament.
After their last group-stage clash against the Mumbai Indians, Riyan disclosed he wasn't completely fit, while Jadeja also picked up a knee niggle.
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“They had some niggles, but they will be fine, hopefully they will be fine," Shanaka told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
Riyan had thrilled fans with 272 runs in 12 matches, battling adversity with a fierce average of 24.72 and a blistering strike rate of 152.8. Jadeja, relentless and composed, amassed 209 runs in nine matches at a commanding average of 52.25, ready to shoulder even more responsibility for the Rajasthan-based franchise’s desperate push for Qualifier 2. Jadeja has also scalped eight wickets in 10 matches at a brilliant economy rate of 8.14. Riyan has snagged 2 wickets in 4 matches, though he has conceded many runs.
Meanwhile, the top order of the Riyan Parag-led side, comprising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (583 runs), Yashasvi Jaiswal (397), and Dhruv Jurel (458), has fueled the team’s run-scoring this year.
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When asked how Sooryavanshi masters the highs and lows of this sport, Shanaka explained that his calm nature powers his resilience.
“He is very professional. For him, it’s more than runs or failures—it’s about his unwavering dedication at practice, his uplifting presence in the dressing room, his effortless coolness under pressure. I have rarely seen a young player exude such poise, transforming the energy of everyone around him," Shanaka concluded, voice tinged with genuine admiration.