Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old breakout star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the IPL 2026 season’s most closely watched prospects, and head coach Kumar Sangakkara has urged fans to let the teenager grow in his own time. After a sequence of eye-catching cameos that included fearless batting versus elite pacers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood, Sooryavanshi hit a tougher patch when he was dismissed for a duck against Sunrisers Hyderabad by Praful Hinge.
Speaking about the pressure that comes with early hype, Sangakkara insisted that the right mindset is the most important thing for a young batter. “My message to Vaibhav is straightforward: enjoy the ride. Whether it’s a big haul like 100 off 35, a brisk 50 off 15, or getting out on the first ball, it’s okay. You’re entitled to score runs, and you’re also entitled to fail—because that’s cricket,” he said, addressing the expectations surrounding the 15-year-old.
The Royals coach also pointed out that Sooryavanshi’s rise is more than raw ability. “People naturally talk about talent, but they should recognise the amount of work he puts in during the nets,” Sangakkara added. He highlighted that the teenager reads the game well, anticipates what bowlers are likely to do, and prepares his responses accordingly.
Sooryavanshi arrives in the IPL with momentum from the international youth stage. Earlier this year, he starred in India’s successful Under-19 World Cup campaign by scoring an extraordinary 175. In the league, he has carried that confidence into his limited opportunities, announcing himself with a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings.
His early IPL output has been defined by speed and intent. Across five innings, Sooryavanshi has posted a strike rate above 263, underlining how aggressively he attacks from ball one. His fearless brand of T20 batting stood out immediately—he took Bumrah for a first-ball six and then launched a sequence of boundaries against Hazlewood.
On the recent dismissal, Sangakkara said it should not be treated as a turning point. “In today’s T20 game, the role of a top-order batter is essentially to attack. He’ll settle into things as he gains more matches. For a player like him, sometimes it’s better not to overthink. I want him to stay exactly the kind of 15-year-old who goes out with a sense of wonder. That’s when real progress happens. Scores like low totals are part of the process—not just for him, but for everyone—and I’m genuinely glad we have Vaibhav with us.”
Royal praise for Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag’s form
Sangakkara also reserved special praise for Dhruv Jurel, who has impressed in the No. 3 position. Jurel’s unbeaten 81 in a chase of more than 200 against RCB has reinforced his growing value to the batting order.
“Dhruv always looks to score—he’s a high-intent player,” Sangakkara said. “He’s not a huge frame, but he’s strong, and he has both power and skill. For Dhruv, the future now looks clearer at Rajasthan Royals, and it could open doors for India as well. That clarity allows him to play with more freedom.”
Captain Riyan Parag, meanwhile, continues to search for runs, but Sangakkara believes the numbers don’t fully reflect what he’s doing at the crease. “The encouraging part is that when I watch Riyan bat, he’s actually doing a lot of things right. He’s striking the ball from the middle and has a clear plan for where he wants it to go. There are days when a batter plays well but the runs simply don’t come. So it’s a good sign that it’s starting to happen now.”
Rajasthan Royals to respond after first defeat in five
- Rajasthan Royals suffered their first loss in five matches after being rocked by Praful Hinge and Sakib Husain during a challenging chase.
- With that defeat behind them, the Royals will aim to bounce back against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.
As the season continues, Sooryavanshi’s early highs—and one sharp reality check—have only intensified the conversations around Rajasthan’s young core, while Sangakkara’s message remains consistent: keep perspective, back the process, and let growth translate into results over time.
