Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling it “pure cinema” to watch the 15-year-old go about his batting. Pujara’s admiration followed Sooryavanshi’s explosive contribution of 43 runs off 16 balls on Tuesday, a knock that enabled RR to become the first team in IPL 2026 to secure a win over Punjab Kings (PBKS). Chasing a demanding 223, Rajasthan raced out of the blocks and reached 84 for the loss of one wicket in just six overs. The 2008 IPL champions ultimately crossed the line by six wickets. Sooryavanshi departed in the fourth over, but not before ensuring RR’s chase got the momentum it needed—he struck five sixes and three fours while compiling his 43 from 16 deliveries.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara described Sooryavanshi’s approach as fearless and attacking, pointing to the batter’s steadiness and his ability to take charge of bowlers even when they anticipate his intent, particularly during the Powerplay. “It’s pure cinema watching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bat. The way he approaches every bowler with that fearless mindset is remarkable. He simply watches the ball and backs himself to strike it. What stands out is that even when the opposition knows he’s going to attack, they still struggle to contain him. That consistency, combined with his fearless intent in the Powerplay, is what gives his team a decisive edge and sets up games like this,” Pujara said.
Even with PBKS on the losing side, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal caught the eye with a sharp spell, finishing with figures of 3/36 in four overs. He dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag during RR’s chase.
Pujara also highlighted Chahal’s tactical nous, stressing how the spinner kept pressing the batters despite being struck during his stint. He credited Chahal for sticking to a clear plan and executing it with variations, calling the spell particularly effective in the shortest format. “Yuzvendra Chahal was exceptional, especially in the way he used his variations. Even after being hit, he had the courage to keep flighting the ball, changing his pace and lines to create opportunities. His control over speed, ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, makes it difficult for batters to settle. In T20 cricket, that variation is crucial, and what stood out was his willingness to stick to his plans and attack, which made it a very impactful spell,” he added.
