Mahela Jayawardene didn’t hold back in praising teenage talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his fearless batting display against the Mumbai Indians, saying the youngster’s development is something fans should be excited about. The MI head coach pointed out that Sooryavanshi’s attacking mindset, especially his approach against Jasprit Bumrah, was particularly impressive.
The 15-year-old once again grabbed attention in IPL 2026, hammering 39 runs off just 14 balls in a rain-interrupted match held in Guwahati. Jayawardene spoke about how the youngster is showing increasing confidence and a fearless attitude against elite bowling attacks.
“We always knew he was a special talent based on what he showed last year. We were able to keep him in check then, but every game brings a new challenge. He’s highly skilled, and for us, it’s about sticking to our execution. Bumrah was slightly off with his length, and he capitalised on it. It’ll be interesting to watch his progress as he really dominated our bowlers,” Jayawardene said after the match.
“Jaiswal’s contribution shouldn’t be overlooked either. His approach in the opening three overs set the tone, as he played with intent and executed some excellent cricket shots. He carried his innings through, which proved to be a major factor in their total. We need to analyse where we fell short and focus on improving those areas,” he added.
From the beginning, Sooryavanshi played with clear intent. Facing Bumrah for the first time, he showed no signs of nerves, smashing two big sixes in the pacer’s opening over. It shifted the momentum early, helping Rajasthan Royals dominate the powerplay phase.
He has been one of the standout players this season, collecting 122 runs in three games at an average exceeding 40, along with an explosive strike rate. Earlier in the tournament, he had made headlines with a rapid 15-ball fifty, and this latest innings has only added to the growing excitement around his performances.
Rajasthan Royals took control right from the start. Openers Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal played with attacking intent, preventing the Mumbai Indians from taking wickets.
They stitched a blistering 80-run stand in just five overs. Sooryavanshi delivered the early blows with a rapid 39 off 14, while Jaiswal amassed an unbeaten 77 from 32 balls.
Chasing the target, the Mumbai Indians never found momentum. Early wickets disrupted their innings, and despite brief resistance, they finished on 123/9, falling short by 27 runs.
The win lifted Rajasthan to the top of the standings and further highlighted Sooryavanshi’s emergence as a serious talent rather than just a one-time breakout performer.
