IPL 2026: ‘Enjoy everything’- Sangakkara’s message to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after golden duck
Rajasthan Royals' coach Kumar Sangakkara urges patience for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite his explosive IPL start and recent setback. Sangakkara highlights Sooryavanshi's dedication and game sense, emphasizing that failures are part of cricket. He also praises Dhruv Jurel's impactful batting at number three and expresses confidence in captain Riyan Parag's form, even if runs aren't reflecting it yet.
Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to be one of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026, but head coach Kumar Sangakkara has urged patience and perspective around the 15-year-old. After lighting up the tournament with fearless strokeplay against top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood, Sooryavanshi endured a reality check when he fell for a golden duck to Praful Hinge against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “My message to Vaibhav is simple: enjoy everything.
Whether it’s 100 off 35 balls, 50 off 15, or a first-ball duck -- you’re allowed to score runs, and you’re allowed to fail. It’s part and parcel of cricket,” Sangakkara said, addressing the expectations around the teenager. The Royals coach emphasised that Sooryavanshi’s rise is not just about talent.
“Vaibhav is such an exciting young player. People talk about talent, but they should also understand the amount of work he puts in at the nets. He reads the game really well, anticipates situations, and plans against bowlers effectively.
” Sooryavanshi, who starred with a remarkable 175 in India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph earlier this year, has carried that momentum into the IPL. He announced himself with a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings and has maintained a staggering strike rate of over 263 across five innings. His fearless approach was evident from the start, taking on Bumrah with a first-ball six and then attacking Hazlewood with a flurry of boundaries.