MUMBAI: Long before the cricketing circuit started talking about Sarfaraz Khan\u2019s destructive batting in the IPL\u2014hitting the world\u2019s top bowlers for a barrage of sixes while playing for the Rajasthan Royals\u2014the \u201crun machine\u201d of domestic cricket had already developed admiration for Vaibhav Sooryvanshi. That first impression came back in January 2024, when the power-hitter, then only 12 years old and 284 days, arrived on the scene for Bihar in their Ranji Trophy opener against a strong Mumbai outfit. Sooryavanshi\u2019s debut marked the youngest Indian first-class debut for decades, in the opening match of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.<\/p>\n
In that game, Sooryavanshi finished with scores of 19 and 12. Shivam Dube and Tanush Kotian dismissed him, and Bihar ultimately slipped to defeat by an innings and 51 runs. Even so, Sarfaraz said he liked what he saw in the youngster. Sooryavanshi later went on to catch attention for his big-hitting potential, with Sarfaraz pointing ahead to a future where the 15-year-old could even surpass Chris Gayle\u2019s IPL seasonal benchmark of 59 sixes\u2014something Sarfaraz expects might happen in 2026.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on Friday at the jersey launch event for the Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs for Season 4 of the T20 Mumbai League, Sarfaraz described his connection to Sooryavanshi and explained why he believed the batter\u2019s skills would translate across formats. The event also had Aakash Tigers\u2019 Women\u2019s team captain Humaira Kazi, along with mentors Praveen Amre and Laya Fran Francis. Sarfaraz said, \u201cHe\u2019s a very good friend of mine and we keep in touch. I first saw him during his Ranji Trophy debut against Mumbai, and even then I could tell he had real talent. He can handle both red-ball and white-ball cricket very well.\u201d The T20 Mumbai League is scheduled to begin at the Wankhede Stadium from Monday.<\/p>\n
Sarfaraz also suggested that mindset was the biggest difference-maker for Sooryavanshi. \u201cHis mindset and preparation are different. Anyone can succeed if they work hard enough. He has put in a lot of effort on his game,\u201d the 28-year-old Mumbaikar added.<\/p>\n
Sarfaraz\u2019s own path back to the IPL came after strong performances for Mumbai in domestic T20 cricket. He impressed in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he scored 329 runs across seven matches at a strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80 while batting at No 3. Following that, his showing continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, paving the way for his return to the IPL. In the IPL 2026 auction, Chennai Super Kings bought him for Rs 75 lakh.<\/p>\n
During the IPL 2026 season, Sarfaraz contributed 161 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 169.47, including one fifty. He also stood out for improved fitness and sharp fielding, along with some excellent catches from the middle order. \u201cI genuinely like working hard. I don\u2019t enjoy sitting idle. I felt I needed to take my white-ball skills up a level, so I focused on that and also worked on my fitness. The results have been good. In cricket, you can never be completely satisfied\u2014there\u2019s always more to improve. The biggest hurdle for me was making the comeback. I needed to raise my strike rate and fitness. That\u2019s why I was out of the IPL for two years. I worked on fitness, fielding, and batting, and I got good results. I\u2019ll keep progressing,\u201d Sarfaraz said.<\/p>\n
He further explained his approach over the last few seasons, stating, \u201cFor the past three years, I\u2019ve been trying to keep improving continuously. Every season I add something new so selectors can see that my game is growing. My focus is always on upgrading my game each season.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, during the middle stretch of the IPL season, Sarfaraz lost his spot in the CSK XI to Gujarat\u2019s aggressive batter Urvil Patel. Reflecting on his stint with the franchise, Sarfaraz said, \u201cFirst of all, I feel very fortunate to have been part of CSK. I spent two months there and learned a lot. We used to sit together, talk about cricket, and always look for new things to take on board. One thing I learned is to keep things simple.\u201d Sarfaraz is set to lead the Aakash Tigers in Season 4 of the T20 Mumbai League.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Mumbai\u2019s senior middle-order batter Siddhesh Lad had suggested that IPL performances were now receiving greater weight when it comes to India selection. Sarfaraz offered a different angle on the same theme. \u201cWhether it\u2019s the IPL or any other tournament, your responsibility is to perform. Selectors will handle their work; players just need to focus on theirs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With the monsoon expected to arrive soon, there is a possibility that rain could interfere with the first half of the T20 Mumbai League. Amre believed that players would adjust to the conditions and the nature of the wickets, which\u2014echoing Lad\u2019s comments from earlier\u2014may be slightly damp and not as friendly for batting. Still, Amre added that Mumbai\u2019s cricketers are accustomed to all types of environments. \u201cI think they\u2019ll adapt well because Mumbai\u2019s players are used to playing on different kinds of wickets and in varying conditions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned for IPL live scores and the latest IPL updates, follow the IPL schedule, and track the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MUMBAI: Long before the cricketing circuit started talking about Sarfaraz Khan\u2019s destructive batting in the IPL\u2014hitting the world\u2019s top bowlers for a barrage of sixes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Sarfaraz Khan Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Mindset in IPL","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Sarfaraz Khan credits Vaibhav Sooryavanshi\u2019s ruthless preparation and mindset, praising the power-hitter\u2019s approach ahead of IPL impact.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n