Sunil Gavaskar stunned into praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s no-fear batting approach: ‘The advantage of youth’

RR are currently placed third on the points table with six wins from nine matches, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing a key role in their strong run this season.

Updated on: Apr 29, 2026, 14:27:03 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the talk of the IPL season, and he has now crossed the 400-run mark, becoming the first batter to reach the milestone this year. At just 15, he has injected real fire into the Royals’ batting line-up with his aggressive approach at the top of the order. The left-handed opener has repeatedly set the tone inside the powerplay, taking bowlers on from the very first over. His fearless intent and clean striking have turned matches on their head, with opposition attacks struggling to contain his early onslaughts. Sooryavanshi’s rise has been one of the standout stories of the season so far.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already scored 400 runs this season so far. (Hindustan Times)

RR are currently placed third on the points table with six wins from nine matches, with Sooryavanshi playing a key role in their strong run this season.

Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for the youngster’s batting display, offering a breakdown of the ease, timing and confidence with which he handled the bowling attack. He highlighted the way the batter read the field, picked his options smartly, and still managed to strike the ball with both power and control.

“He made excellent use of the field and picked the line beautifully. The way he strikes the ball with such ease and power is remarkable. What stands out is how unfazed he looks. That’s often the advantage of youth. You play without fear, without worrying about the opposition, and just back your natural game," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Also Read - What are the chances of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi winning his first IPL Orange Cap, pipping Kohli, Abhishek and others?

No target is beyond reach

The batting great reflected on the growing trend of massive run chases in T20 cricket this season, pointing out how quickly the mindset of teams has shifted. He noted that once a few sides successfully chased down huge totals, it created a ripple effect across the league, changing what teams now view as a defendable score.

“It was similar to what RCB did to GT, or PBKS did to DC, when they chased 260-plus so comfortably. Once one team does that, others start believing they can do it as well, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Since then, we’ve had multiple 200-plus chases, and now even 220-plus totals are being chased with balls to spare. It shows how strongly teams believe that no target, even 220 or 240, is beyond reach," Gavaskar said.

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

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