IPL 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not a special project for Rajasthan Royals, but a special player: Kumar Sangakkara

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI/IPL Photo)

NEW DELHI : From the early 90s till the time I retired, followers made a beeline to look at Sachin Tendulkar bat. In the final decade, Virat Kohli took over that mantle and drove individuals to stadiums. While classic Kohli continues to be grabbing eyeballs, a 15-year-old now appears to have inherited the baton.No surprise IPL followers have been clamoring for a glimpse of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals‘teen batting surprise, throughout stadiums.“Bhaiyya, can I go inside the stadium so that I can watch Sooryavanshi practise? I just want to see him,” Rajiv Yadav, a cricket fan from Manesar, was heard asking the safety guard right here on the Arun Jaitley Stadium gate on Saturday night.The request that was politely turned down.In the nets, Sooryavanshi took on the bowlers and throwdown specialists for about 40 minutes. Not for one second did he look to play a defensive stroke.For him, it was all about hitting the ball as laborious and so long as he might.No surprise, Sooryavanshi has amassed 440 runs from 11 video games at a mean of 40. But it is his strike price of 236.55, the most effective among the many top10 run-getters this IPL, that has turned heads. He has additionally smashed 40 sixes, probably the most.“The key for Vaibhav is to enjoy every moment. The worst thing we can do is clutter his mind. We have a conversation with him if he needs it. One thing Vaibhav loves is his batting. And the most important thing about him is that I’ve seen he reads the game very well. He’s a smart little kid and he will keep understanding himself and the game. Sometimes the best thing is to let Vaibhav be Vaibhav,” mentioned Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara.“As he starts playing more international cricket, bowlers will try to plan against him. The one thing he should never lose is his enjoyment of batting. He isn’t a special project for us but a special player,” added Sangakkara.Former England batter Ian Bell, an assistant coach at Delhi Capitals, too feels the teen should get himself prepared for stiffer battles forward. “The challenge for any young player is that you’ve to keep evolving, but he’s a scary talent,” Bell mentioned.