Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has kept IPL 2026 firmly in his grip with his fearless approach at the top for Rajasthan Royals, routinely attacking from ball one and forcing fast momentum changes. The 15-year-old opener has not always turned those rapid starts into huge totals, but his Powerplay dominance has become the foundation of RR\u2019s innings tempo time and again. So far this season, he has amassed 486 runs in 12 appearances, including a century and two half-centuries, with his aggressive intent regularly pushing Rajasthan beyond 60 runs by the end of the first six overs.<\/p>\n
Sooryavanshi once again delivered in a high-energy clash against Delhi Capitals, launching a rapid 46 from just 21 deliveries. By the close of the Powerplay, RR had raced to 75\/1, and the innings reflected the same pattern: quick runs early, pressure sustained for the middle overs, and confidence carried forward. In doing so, he surpassed Abhishek Sharma\u2019s previous IPL record of 42 sixes from 2024, and now stands alone at the summit of the six-hitting charts with 43 maximums this season.<\/p>\n
Rajasthan head coach Kumar Sangakkara heaped praise on Sooryavanshi during the broadcast, focusing less on whether starts become match-defining innings and more on the impact the opener creates immediately. Sangakkara suggested that RR value the speed and freedom of his early assault, even when conversions are not always what the team wants.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s better to take something like 30 than to leave it with not much on any given day, particularly at the pace he gets those runs. Yes, he hasn\u2019t carried on as much as we\u2019d like, and as he\u2019d like. But the key point is that he\u2019s striking the ball well, giving us really quick-fire starts, and then we\u2019ve got six or seven other batters who can take over, keep the pressure on, and grow those partnerships,\u201d Sangakkara said.<\/p>\n
Sangakkara also highlighted what he sees as Sooryavanshi\u2019s natural, instinctive way of batting\u2014more curiosity and game-reading than mechanical power-hitting. He described the opener\u2019s mindset as that of a young player who genuinely enjoys the craft, while also stressing that it is not mindless aggression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most exciting thing is how he approaches batting. He looks at it the way all of us should when you\u2019re 15\u2014like a kid. He loves the process, he\u2019s out there batting for long hours, and that\u2019s what makes it so exciting. He reads the game as well, so it\u2019s not just random hitting,\u201d Sangakkara added.<\/p>\n
Another theme in Sangakkara\u2019s comments was how RR manage the youngster\u2019s development without overwhelming him with too much technical instruction. He said the coaching staff stays cautious about how often they pull him into extended chats, preferring to let him settle, relax, and play his natural brand of cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very curious, but I\u2019m careful not to have too long a conversation with him. He needs to relax and bat. If we do chat, it becomes about other things rather than cricket\u2014some little pieces here and there. But I\u2019d rather leave him alone so he can enjoy what he does,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On preparation, Sangakkara explained that discussions during practice sessions are largely about scenario awareness\u2014what bowlers may try and how Sooryavanshi can recognise the plan\u2014rather than frequent technical overhauls. He noted that the team speaks about specific challenges such as the short ball and the swinging yorker, while also reinforcing commitment to the chosen option.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the nets, those are the things we talk about. When he practices, we kind of discuss what the bowlers might do, and he has an idea of what they might do to him\u2014the short ball, the swinging yorker. So we\u2019ll work on those a little bit, but the bigger message is to commit. Whatever you decide to do, once you choose an option, you\u2019ve got to be 100% committed to it,\u201d Sangakkara explained.<\/p>\n
When asked whether he takes on a mentoring or father-figure role, Sangakkara dismissed the idea of heavy intervention. He said Sooryavanshi already has the level of ability that requires only light guidance rather than constant direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no. He doesn\u2019t need that at all. He\u2019s a much better player than I would ever be, so he needs a little help, but not too much,\u201d Sangakkara concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has kept IPL 2026 firmly in his grip with his fearless approach at the top for Rajasthan Royals, routinely attacking from ball one…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: RR Coach Explains Vaibhav Sooryavanshi\u2019s Struggles","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"RR\u2019s coach breaks down why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi\u2019s explosive IPL 2026 starts haven\u2019t always turned into big scores\u2014despite his Powerplay dominance.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n