Riyan Parag assures Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘you’re going to play 14 games’; stunned at the sheer audacity of the youngster

Riyan Parag was all praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, underlining the backing given to the youngster, revealing how he reassured him about his place in the XI

Updated on: Mar 31, 2026, 08:34:42 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wasted no time getting back into the spotlight, picking up right where he left off last season as he tore into Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. The 15-year-old opener looked completely at ease against the CSK attack, taking them on from the outset and finding the boundary at will during his short but telling stay at the crease. In a modest 128-run chase, he ensured there were no nerves, racing away to 52 off just 17 balls. His strokeplay set the tone early and left Rajasthan Royals in complete control, turning what could have been a tricky chase into a straightforward finish.

Riyan Parag heaped praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after an explosive fifty. (AP and PTI Images)

He hammered five sixes and four fours, adding a blistering 75-run stand with Jaiswal at the top. Rajasthan wrapped up the 128-run chase in just 12.1 overs, making light work of the target. His ultra-aggressive approach reflected the faith the RR management has placed in him, as he continued to assert his authority.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was all praise for Sooryavanshi, underlining the backing given to the youngster, revealing how he reassured the opener about his place in the XI while urging him to block out the outside noise and play with freedom.

"What I tell him is that you're going to play 14 games and regardless of what goes on in the game, it shouldn't bother you. What goes around in the media shouldn't bother you. You just go out there. He loves to bat. I've made sure I've told the coaches that he gets as much batting as he wants. And he goes and does some things like that," Riyan Parag said in the post-match presentation.

Also Read - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets straight to the point after India’s wonder kid starts IPL 2026 with 15-ball fifty amid chatter

“Dhruv Jurel and I were in awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi”

Sooryavanshi had a slice of luck right at the start. He mistimed a pull off Matt Henry in the opening over, offering a chance that Kartik Sharma couldn’t hold onto while backtracking from midwicket. The ball slipped past him and rolled away to the fence, handing the youngster an early boundary. It proved costly. Sooryavanshi didn’t hesitate to make the most of the reprieve and launched the very next delivery over the ropes. From that moment, he looked in complete control, finding the boundary with ease and dictating the tempo of the chase with his attacking intent.

The Royals skipper couldn’t hide his admiration for the youngster’s fearless display, revealing that even he and Dhruv Jurel in the dugout were left stunned by what they were witnessing.

"I think me and Dhruv, when we were sitting there till the fourth over, we were just in awe. Like, what is happening? Like, how is he doing this? But then I'm really happy to have him in my team," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.