NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing the young batter as a “spectacular talent” and a player he expects will be “one for the future” after an eye-catching run in IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi has quickly established himself as one of the season’s most talked-about performers, notching 246 runs in just six innings at a strike rate that has climbed above 236, and making an immediate impression with his fearless intent at the top of the order.
Speaking about Sooryavanshi, Iyer said the range of his ability is hard to contain in words. “He is a spectacular talent, and all the adjectives would be pretty less for him,” the Punjab captain remarked. Iyer pointed to the technical and mental rhythm behind the attacking start, highlighting the smooth “bat flow” and the momentum the teenager builds just before each delivery. “The way he has that bat flow, the rhythm and momentum he creates before the delivery — I think he is one for the future,” he added, underlining how the youngster’s approach looks made for long-term impact.
Iyer also laid out what he believes is the key to fearless batting in T20 cricket, insisting that confidence and individuality matter as much as technique. With his own season producing 208 runs, he stressed the importance of self-belief and staying true to your style rather than trying to copy others. “Whenever I speak to players, my only message is: just be yourself. Don’t try to emulate or mimic anyone,” Iyer said. In his view, when a batter plays with freedom and flair in a personal way, there is no need to imitate. “When you are fearless and flamboyant in your own way, you don’t have to copy anyone,” he explained.
The captain connected that mindset to the form of Punjab’s opening pair, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, both of whom have already surpassed the 200-run mark this season. Iyer suggested that the coaching message matters just as much as the game plan. “When you tell these guys they are match-winners, it instils confidence in them. They can just go out there and play freely,” he said, reflecting on how belief can unlock performances at the start of an innings.
Turning to his own batting, Iyer recalled a decisive moment against Jasprit Bumrah, where he felt instincts took over completely. “It was completely instinctive. When you are facing probably the best bowler in the world, you have to back your instincts,” he said. For Iyer, that approach comes down to staying clear-headed and keeping emotions in check when the pressure spikes, especially against elite pace and skill.
With Punjab Kings still chasing their maiden title, Iyer’s admiration for Sooryavanshi also points to a wider trend across the league: younger batters are increasingly shaping match tempo through bold, fearless play. As Sooryavanshi continues to stack runs at a breathtaking pace, Iyer’s comments reinforce the growing belief that the next era of T20 batting will be driven by fearless talent that trusts itself from the very first ball.
