The IPL 2026 journey got here to an finish for Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday after a seven-wicket defeat towards Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh. Regardless of the disappointing outcome, the match as soon as once more belonged to teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who produced one other dazzling innings underneath stress and capped off a breakthrough marketing campaign in model.
Following the match, Rajasthan Royals head coach and director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara mirrored on the teen’s unimaginable rise and spoke about what the longer term might maintain for one of the thrilling abilities in world cricket.
Kumar Sangakkara backs Vaibhav Suryavanshi for increased honours
Suryavanshi as soon as once more showcased his class towards Gujarat Titans, smashing 96 off simply 47 deliveries in a difficult Qualifier 2 encounter. The 15-year-old completed IPL 2026 with the Orange Cap and signed off with three scores above 90 in his final 4 innings, additional cementing his standing as one of many breakout stars of the season.
Talking after the match, Sangakkara heaped reward on the younger batter and expressed confidence that greater alternatives might quickly come his manner. The previous Sri Lanka captain additionally highlighted the maturity proven by Suryavanshi all through the match and praised the best way he tailored to completely different match conditions.
“You by no means know if anybody’s prepared till they’ve performed, and with every little thing Vaibhav has proven towards a few of the greatest bowlers on the earth, I believe he’s greater than able to tackle any problem that you simply throw at him and I’m certain that he’ll get that call-up very, very quickly. We’re very, very pleased with him. We wish to ensure that he retains going, retains that intent, retains that no-fear angle and retains rising,” Sangakkara mentioned.
How Rajasthan Royals are managing Suryavanshi’s improvement?
Sangakkara revealed that Rajasthan Royals have put collectively a long-term plan for the teenage sensation and are targeted on guaranteeing his progress stays uninterrupted past IPL 2026. The Royals coach additionally confirmed that the franchise will proceed monitoring Suryavanshi intently in the course of the low season.
“I believe we’ve received a superb plan round him. We don’t muddle his thoughts an excessive amount of. He involves all our group conferences, he contributes, he listens and he does lots of homework. He practises nicely and he reads the ball as nicely. He watches movies and prepares himself rather well. So, we don’t wish to put any pointless ideas into his head. I believe a transparent thoughts, batting with that braveness, is precisely what we wish to see of him. We’ll sit down with our medical group after which undergo what he may want after which help him. We’ll run our camps, he’ll have sufficient observe alternatives in Nagpur with us. So, we’ll be maintaining a really shut eye, not simply on Vaibhav however all our gamers,” Sangakkara mentioned.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: Ravi Shastri recalls the only moment he had to pull Virat Kohli away during Australia tour
Suryavanshi shines regardless of RR’s Qualifier 2 exit
Though Rajasthan Royals fell wanting reaching the IPL 2026 last, Suryavanshi as soon as once more stood tall with the bat. Chasing a spot within the title conflict, RR posted 214/6 after {the teenager}’s magnificent 96-run knock, however Gujarat Titans efficiently chased down the goal with Shubman Gill scoring a century and Sai Sudharsan a half-century.
Suryavanshi ended the season with 776 runs at a strike price of over 237, establishing himself as one of the harmful batters in IPL historical past. With Sangakkara publicly backing him for worldwide cricket, the teen’s performances have solely strengthened the rising requires an India alternative within the close to future.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as captain Shubman Gill dazzles with a century as GT seal IPL 2026 Final berth in emphatic Qualifier 2 triumph over RR
