IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sets title goal for Royals after breakout season

Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is preparing for a defining IPL 2026 season, with the 15-year-old setting his sights firmly on helping the franchise secure the title.

After a breakout IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi is set for his first full season with the Rajasthan Royals, carrying both form and expectation into the new campaign. Speaking on JioStar's 'TATA IPL: Dream On', the youngster reflected on his journey, influences, and the road that brought him to the IPL.

"I saw both Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh finish matches single-handedly. If they were in, there was no chance for the opponent to come back into the game, and that was something I really liked about them. I made a lot of runs in domestic cricket for Bihar, in league games and probables. Sir then picked me for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, the BCCI's U-19 tournament. I played that, followed by the Challengers Trophy. In 2023, there was a quadrangular series, with two teams from India, along with Bangladesh and England. I made my debut there. From there, I gradually progressed and made my Ranji Trophy debut. Since my domestic debut, Rajasthan Royals had started enquiring about me. They were watching me in domestic matches as well as India U-19 games, and their scouting team had their eye on me for a long time."

Sooryavanshi struck 190 off 84 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and followed it with an unbeaten 108 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In youth ODIs in 2025, he scored 690 runs at an average of 57.50, with a strike rate of over 160.

On his approach after being picked by Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi emphasised clarity of role and intent.

"When I was picked, my only goal was to give the team a good start. I wanted to play my game in the power play, and if I got a good start, I wanted to continue and play long without giving my wicket away. I knew that if I played my shots, the scenario of the game would change, because chasing 200-plus runs would not be easy for any team. This season, the goal is to win the trophy for the team. My performances and the team's performances will automatically get highlighted if we win the trophy, and that is the most important thing."

His early development was shaped under the guidance of his childhood coach, Manish Ojha, who recalled his first impressions.

"In 2018, he came to the academy with his father for the first time. From the start, it was clear he had potential and a real passion for cricket. He always liked to attack while batting and had beautiful timing. In every session, he would play 400-500 balls and wouldn't stop unless I gave him a break."

Ojha also spoke about refining Sooryavanshi's aggressive approach as he moved through age-group cricket. "In 2022, during the open net sessions, he was given a 40-over slot to bat, 20 overs from new-ball bowlers and then spinners. I noticed he preferred to play only big, lofted shots. I told him that as he progresses to U-16 and U-19 cricket for his state, he'll have to face hundreds of deliveries and play long, because it starts with four-day cricket there. If you go for a big shot on every ball and ignore singles or doubles, you increase your chances of getting out. But he would say, 'Sir, if I can hit a six on that ball, why take a single?'"

That attacking instinct stood out during his IPL trials as well. "Vaibhav was given different targets in the trials, and every time, he achieved them. For example, in the first over, he was given a target of scoring 18 runs, and he reached it in three balls. After that, he was told that he was playing more shots square of the wicket and was asked to play more on the off-side, and he responded by hitting big shots there as well. In another trial, he was given a target of scoring 24 runs in one over, which he achieved in five balls."

With a full season ahead, Sooryavanshi's focus remains on delivering at the top and contributing to Rajasthan Royals' push for the IPL 2026 title.

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