Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Composed Approach Impresses Dasun Shanaka: ‘Haven’t Seen a Kid Like That’

At just 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the standout names of IPL 2026, impressing not only with his fearless six-hitting but also with the calmness and maturity he has shown inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room. Ahead of Rajasthan’s IPL Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, teammate Dasun Shanaka praised the teenage batter’s composure under pressure, saying he had rarely seen a young player handle expectations with such ease.

Sooryavanshi’s rise this season has been swift and eye-catching. The left-handed batter from Bihar has built a reputation for attacking intent and clean boundary-hitting, quickly becoming a fan favourite. His best-known knock so far came just two matches ago, when he smashed 93 off 38 balls against Lucknow Super Giants in one of the most explosive innings of the tournament. In the next match against Mumbai Indians, he was dismissed for four, but Shanaka said that neither big scores nor low ones seem to affect the youngster’s mindset.

According to Shanaka, Sooryavanshi’s professionalism stands out more than his age. He said the teenager’s attitude in practice and in the dressing room has been remarkably steady, and that he does not appear overwhelmed by the pressures of the IPL. Shanaka noted that senior players often test young cricketers in high-pressure environments, but Sooryavanshi has responded with a natural calmness and strong temperament. He added that the youngster has “a lot of potential” and many good years ahead of him.

Shanaka also backed Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, who has led the side to the playoffs in his first full season as skipper. Parag has faced criticism at different stages of the campaign for both his batting form and tactical decisions, but Shanaka described him as a captain who trusts his own calls and is developing into a strong leader. He said Parag could become an important leader not only for Rajasthan Royals but also for Indian cricket in the future.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder said he has spoken with Parag about leadership and has also learned from him during the season, highlighting a mutual exchange of ideas within the squad. Shanaka’s comments reflected a sense of confidence around the Royals camp, which has recovered strongly after early scrutiny and secured a place in the knockout stage.

He also provided a fitness update on Parag and veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, saying both had minor niggles but were expected to be available for the Eliminator. With Rajasthan Royals now two wins away from the IPL title, Shanaka said the team had taken a major confidence boost from their recent victory over Mumbai Indians and believed the momentum was building at the right time.