Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise with the Rajasthan Royals has sparked admiration across the IPL, with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer among the latest to sing his praises. The 15-year-old opener has drawn attention not only from teammates but also from opponents, and Iyer went as far as to call him a standout “one for the future,” praising the batter’s explosive ability and the way his batting rhythm builds momentum before each delivery.
Key takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer described Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a rare talent with “one for the future” potential.
- Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs in six innings, striking at 236.53 and averaging 41.
- Iyer said he is also pushing to earn a place in India’s T20I squad.
- Iyer cited his instinctive shot selection versus Jasprit Bumrah in the second qualifier of IPL 2025.
- Punjab Kings finished as runners-up after that qualifier, which included Iyer’s standout moment.
Iyer hails Sooryavanshi’s “bat flow” and momentum
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, himself chasing opportunities for India’s T20I setup, couldn’t help but heap praise on Sooryavanshi. In his view, the adjectives people use for special hitters fall short when describing the teenager’s impact. Iyer highlighted how Sooryavanshi shapes his batting flow, creates rhythm, and builds momentum in the pre-delivery phase, suggesting that the youngster’s skill set is built for what comes next in his career.
Iyer’s assessment was straightforward and emphatic: the way Sooryavanshi carries his bat, along with the control and momentum he generates, makes him a future-ready prospect. Those comments came during an appearance on JioStar’s “Believe”.
Sooryavanshi’s numbers and Iyer’s qualifier reflection
Sooryavanshi’s current run has been backed by strong output. Across six innings, he has piled up 246 runs, maintaining a batting average of 41 while firing at a strike rate of 236.53—figures that underline both volume and acceleration.
Meanwhile, Iyer also pointed to his own form, noting that he has collected 208 runs in six innings. His average stands at 52, with a strike rate of 182.45, reinforcing that he has been among the steady contributors for his side.
The instinctive Bumrah shot in IPL 2025’s second qualifier
Iyer also looked back on a specific moment from the second qualifier of IPL 2025 against Jasprit Bumrah. He described the shot as instinctive, explaining that his intention was to drive the ball straight down the ground. In his telling, once he entered the right batting position, his focus narrowed: he aimed to target Bumrah regardless of the line and length, because he wanted to commit to the straight option.
Facing what he called one of the world’s best bowlers—someone who executes angles and deliveries with precision—meant Iyer had to trust his instincts. He added that he played the stroke with third-man in mind while the field was set, and he appreciated the decision as part of how the plan played out.
Afterward, he did not let emotion take over. Iyer said he didn’t celebrate because he knew Punjab Kings would need to respond and play again after a day, especially with the tournament’s next fixture still looming. He explained that showing emotion can cause your heart rate to rise and fall, and that keeping emotional control helps maintain clarity—allowing a captain or batter to stay decisive about the main objective.
