Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Monday said that despite talk around bowlers targeting him ahead of the IPL 2026, the Rajasthan Royals support staff asked him to trust his natural approach.
The 15-year-old, who scored a 15-ball half-century to set up an eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, said the backing from the team helped him stay clear in his plans. “The coaches didn’t specifically say that bowlers would attack me – everyone else was already saying that – but they just told me that they back me and that I should stick to my natural game and play according to the situation.”
Explaining his approach, Sooryavanshi said the focus was on using the Powerplay well in a small chase. “I do think about defence, but today our plan was to control the game in the powerplay because in a small chase, that phase is crucial – if the bowling team does well there, the game can tilt their way, but our powerplay went really well.”
Sooryavanshi smashed 52 runs off 17 deliveries against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Powered by four fours and five maximums, Sooryavanshi went on an absolute roll to put RR at the pole position in their chase of 128.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has made massive strides in his career since his record hundred in the IPL last season. His rare talent was on full display against a hapless CSK attack.
With Sooryavanshi going ballistic from his end, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, was happy to give the strike back to the fellow left-hander. Royals raced to victory in 12.1 overs.
On his understanding with opening partner, Sooryavanshi said, “My opening partner (Jaiswal) keeps communicating with me after every ball – he tells me when to take singles, keeps giving me the strike, and encourages me to keep playing my shots if the ball is coming nicely onto the bat.”
Sooryavanshi became the third fastest to an IPL fifty with a couple of sixes off spinner Noor Ahmad.
Following his fall, Jaiswal (38 not out off 36) and Riyan Parag (14 not out off 11) completed the formalities for Royals with plenty to spare.
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