Sangakkara says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is 'allowed to fail', reveals message to teen sensation: 'Less said, the better'

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should simply focus on enjoying his cricket

Updated on: Apr 19, 2026, 07:36:34 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly become one of the biggest talking points of the Indian Premier League, thanks to his fearless approach at the crease from the very first ball. Unfazed by reputations, he has already taken on some of the best in the business, including Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His intent and confidence have stood out in every outing so far. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes the youngster should simply focus on enjoying his cricket, adding that it’s best not to overhype him too early.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been in sensational form this season in IPL. (PTI)

"My message to Vaibhav is simple: enjoy everything. Whether it's 100 off 35 balls, 50 off 15, or a first-ball duck -- you're allowed to score runs, and you're allowed to fail. It's part and parcel of cricket," the RR director of cricket said on the high expectations surrounding the young gun.

"Vaibhav is such an exciting young player. People talk about talent, but they should also understand the amount of work he puts in at the nets. He reads the game really well, anticipates situations, and plans against bowlers effectively."

Fresh from his U-19 World Cup heroics, where he was named Player of the Tournament, Sooryavanshi wasted no time making an impact in IPL 2026. He announced himself with a blistering 52 off just 17 balls against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the opening game and has carried that form forward, boasting a strike rate of over 263 after five innings.

Also Read - ‘I could see Virat Kohli, Phil Salt weren’t happy,’ says KL Rahul after DC’s win on tricky Chinnaswamy track vs RCB

He set the tone early with a first-ball six off Jasprit Bumrah in the clash against the Mumbai Indians, and later went after Josh Hazlewood in the game against the RCB, smashing three fours and a six in quick succession.

“Sooryavanshi will figure things out as he goes along”

The young sensation was dismissed for a golden duck by an unheralded Praful Hinge in their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

On his failure against SRH, Sangakkara said he will figure things out as he goes along.

"The nature of opening in T20 cricket today is all-out attack. He'll figure things out as he goes along. For a player like that, sometimes the less said, the better.

"I just want him to remain that 15-year-old kid who goes out and bats with a sense of wonder. That's how he'll truly progress. Low scores will happen to him and to everyone else, but I'm very happy to have Vaibhav with us," Sangakkara 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.