Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar praised the maturity and game awareness shown by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the Rajasthan Royals took down the Chennai Super Kings in the fourth match of IPL 2026.
Chasing a paltry 128, the 15-year-old Vaibhav took apart the Chennai bowlers in the powerplay, reaching 50 off just 15 balls, the third-fastest in the history of the tournament. His innings set the platform for the Royals to complete the chase comfortably in 12.1 overs, with eight wickets to spare.
Bangar praised how the prodigy took down the different Chennai bowlers, including New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who is a bowler with a serious reputation in international cricket.
“Vaibhav Suryavanshi was a class apart. He dominated a good bowling attack. He took on Matt Henry, a new ball bowler, who challenges top batters internationally. He toyed with Khaleel Ahmed, who swings the ball both ways. He got the better of Anshul Kamboj, known for hitting the deck hard with good length deliveries. He even made life difficult for mystery bowler Noor Ahmad.” Bangar explained what separates the teenager from the rest,” Bangar told JioStar.
Bangar further stated how Vaibhav forced the experienced Chennai bowlers to bowl away from their strengths, trying to negate the 15-year-old’s onslaught. He explained that Vaibhav’s approach gets into the minds of bowlers, and if he continues this form, he is slated to have a great season.
At the age of 15, he dominated four quality bowlers with his fearless batting and forced them to move away from their strengths. Henry had to bowl slower balls. Khaleel had to try different things. He put pressure on all of them. That shows Vaibhav, with his fearless approach, is getting into the minds of established bowlers. I admired that quality in his innings. The start this wonder boy has had makes sure it’s going to be a cracker of a season for him,” he added.
Rajasthan Royals’ next assignment will be against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 4.
