Rajasthan Royals head coach and director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara is confident that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s call-up to India is on the horizon, praising the teenage batter for a campaign that peaked with three scores of 90-plus in just four innings. Even with another courageous knock from Sooryavanshi, the Royals were forced to settle for a seven-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, meaning the 15-year-old’s tournament ended with the Orange Cap.
Sooryavanshi’s season draws major praise
Sangakkara, speaking in the post-match press conference, said he felt “very, very proud” of the youngster’s output and stressed the importance of keeping his mindset intact. He added that the Royals want to ensure Sooryavanshi continues with the same intent, the same fearless approach, and keeps developing as a batter. Sooryavanshi finished the competition after his standout run, but the coach framed it as a step in a longer journey rather than a finish line.
The knock of 96 came with a different feel from the innings he played against SRH in the Eliminator two days earlier. This time, Sooryavanshi faced a barrage of short-pitched bowling on a pitch that appeared slow in the opening phase of the contest. Sangakkara described it as a tougher outing because wickets kept coming, yet he pointed out that the teenager reads situations very well—fueling the growing recognition of his maturity.
“You never know… until they played”
When asked whether Sooryavanshi is ready for an India opportunity, Sangakkara expressed strong belief that the youngster has the potential to reach higher honours soon. He said that readiness can’t be judged without exposure, adding that based on what Vaibhav has already shown against some of the strongest bowlers in the game, he looks more than prepared to face whatever challenge comes next. Sangakkara also suggested that the call-up should arrive “very, very soon”.
Asked how the Royals manage him during the season and monitor his progress between campaigns, Sangakkara explained that the team has a structured plan around him. He said they try not to overload his thinking, that he attends team meetings, contributes actively, listens closely, and does a lot of homework. The coach also highlighted that Sooryavanshi practises well, reads the ball effectively, watches videos, and prepares thoroughly—so that his mind stays clear and his batting continues to be driven by courage.
He further noted that the Royals will sit down with their medical team to understand what support or work he may need, and then channel that into their camp schedule. Sangakkara said Sooryavanshi will have ample practice opportunities in Nagpur with the franchise, and that the staff will keep a close watch not only on Vaibhav, but on all players across the wider group.
Royals’ journey through ups and downs
After the defeat, captain Riyan Parag said the team “was not supposed to qualify”, but the Royals still fought their way into the top four despite a transitional phase and an influx of younger faces. Sangakkara echoed that sense of achievement, expressing pride in how the squad handled a campaign filled with both setbacks and strong stretches of play.
He pointed to the reality of the season—injuries, close margins, stretches where the team did not play their best cricket, and also periods when they produced excellent performances. Sangakkara said the key was that the group stayed calm and stayed focused throughout the shifting phases of the tournament. He also emphasised the team-first nature of the campaign, adding that every cricketer had given their best for one another, for the team, and for the franchise.
He acknowledged that sometimes, even when teams play well, they can still end up beaten. He stated that on the night, Gujarat Titans were better, and he made it clear that he would rather be in the RR dressing room than anywhere else. In his view, the experience and fight shown by the Royals through the season was something to be proud of.
Moving away from a “developmental” label
Sangakkara also clarified that Rajasthan Royals have shifted away from being viewed as a “developmental side”. He said the franchise has focused on creating squads built to win campaigns, rather than primarily nurturing players for the future. While he accepted that Vaibhav could be considered an outlier, Sangakkara insisted the Royals recruited him because they believed he was good enough to be in their first XI.
He explained that the development angle has been replaced in the mindset for the last four years, and that the decision was made consciously in 2022. Sangakkara noted that the purse utilisation in the auction two years ago may not have been the best, but stressed that the process sometimes goes that way. He added that among those who played this season, there has been some inexperience at times, but the overall intent has been to assemble players who can win matches and are ready to play immediately.
On leadership, Sangakkara said he felt Riyan’s first season as captain was excellent. He praised how Parag managed the team, handled his own field placements well, and said he will continue to grow and learn along with the other players. The coach ended by insisting that the Royals will return stronger, and he underlined that no one gave them a real chance at the start of the campaign—yet their hard work, enjoyment of the game, and quality performances allowed them to make something special happen.
