NEW DELHI: The way Gujarat Titans bowler Mohammed Siraj celebrated Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s dismissal summed up the level of discomfort the 15-year-old has started causing in IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi, still in his teens, has already built a reputation for striking with fearless intent and punishing bowlers’ run rates. In the Titans vs Rajasthan Royals contest, Siraj’s reaction to the wicket captured just how much damage Sooryavanshi can threaten when he gets going.
Quick facts
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket triggered intense celebrations from Mohammed Siraj.
- Siraj was struck for a six by Sooryavanshi in his very first over.
- Sooryavanshi also injured himself by hitting his own boot, after which he returned quickly.
- Sooryavanshi struck Kagiso Rabada for two big sixes in the following over.
- In Siraj’s second over (the third over of the innings), Sooryavanshi hit three boundaries off the first four balls.
- Siraj then changed his plan after a brief chat with Shubman Gill.
- Siraj dismissed Sooryavanshi with a 146.6 kph skiddy bouncer; Arshad Khan held the catch.
- Gujarat Titans posted 229/4: Shubman Gill 84 off 44, Sai Sudharsan 55 off 36, Washington Sundar 37* off 20.
- Brijesh Sharma led the Royals’ bowling with 2/47; Yash Raj Punja and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each.
Siraj’s spell began in the roughest possible way. On the first ball of his first over, Sooryavanshi cleared the long-on region for a massive six. Soon after, the teenager struck the ball onto his own boot and appeared to be in discomfort, prompting physio treatment.
But Sooryavanshi did not lose momentum for long. After receiving care, he returned promptly and went straight back to attacking. The aggressive approach continued immediately, as he then went after Kagiso Rabada in the next over, smashing two enormous sixes and forcing Gujarat Titans’ pressure to rise early in the innings.
Plan change pays off
When Siraj came back for his second over—also the third over of the chase—Sooryavanshi kept the assault going. He struck three boundaries in the first four deliveries, leaving the bowler visibly frustrated. At that point, Siraj had a short exchange with Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill before adjusting his length and mindset.
Even the dugout was part of the moment. Broadcast cameras showed head coach Ashish Nehra gesturing from the stands just before the breakthrough, with the tactical shift ultimately working in Siraj’s favour. Nehra’s message was clear: vary the approach and use game awareness to outthink the batter rather than simply chase pace.
Siraj responded with a sharp, skiddy bouncer clocked at 146.6 kph. Sooryavanshi tried to pull, but the ball came off the edge for a leading contact. Arshad Khan then completed the catch cleanly, taking away the dangerous momentum the teenager had built.
After the dismissal, Siraj celebrated with intensity and an animated send-off, underlining how significant the wicket felt in the flow of the match.
Earlier in the innings, Gujarat Titans put together a huge total of 229/4. Skipper Shubman Gill anchored the start with a quickfire 84 off 44 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes along the way. Sai Sudharsan made 55 off 36 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and two maximums during a 118-run opening stand.
Washington Sundar added further value with a late cameo, finishing unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls. For Rajasthan Royals, Brijesh Sharma was the standout, finishing with figures of 2/47. Yash Raj Punja and Ravindra Jadeja each picked up one wicket as the Titans powered to their imposing score.
