New Delhi, March 30 (NationPress) Teen opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) has stated that his primary objective this season is to assist the team in securing the IPL trophy, a title that has remained out of reach since their victorious debut in 2008.

During IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi scored a remarkable century off just 35 balls, accumulating a total of 252 runs across seven matches for RR. As he steps into IPL 2026, he comes off an impressive performance as the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament during India's U19 World Cup victory this year.

“Upon being selected, I was determined to provide a strong start for the team. My aim was to exhibit my playing style during the Powerplay, and if I began well, I intended to maintain my innings without losing my wicket. I understood that if I executed my shots effectively, the dynamics of the match would shift, as chasing scores over 200 runs poses a challenge for any team,” Sooryavanshi remarked in an interview with JioStar.

He reminisced about the impact of his childhood idols, Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh, who inspired him as he transitioned from the Bihar cricket scene to higher levels. “Watching Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh finish matches on their own was impactful. If they were at the crease, there was little chance for the opposition to regain control, and that quality greatly resonated with me,” he added.

“I scored abundantly in domestic cricket for Bihar, participating in league matches and trials. Eventually, I was selected for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, the BCCI’s U-19 tournament. This led to my participation in the Challengers Trophy, and in 2023, I debuted in a quadrangular series featuring two Indian teams alongside Bangladesh and England. Following that, I made my Ranji Trophy debut. Since my entry into domestic cricket, the Rajasthan Royals had expressed interest in me, closely monitoring my performances,” he explained.

His childhood coach, Manish Ojha, highlighted the early signs of Sooryavanshi's talent and his dedication to batting for extended periods. “He first joined the academy in 2018 with his father. It was evident from the start that he possessed immense potential and a genuine love for cricket. His aggressive batting style, coupled with excellent timing, stood out,” Ojha noted.

“In every training session, he would face 400-500 balls without pause unless I intervened for a break. During the 2022 open net sessions, he was allotted a 40-over slot to bat, facing both new-ball bowlers and spinners. I observed his preference for playing big lofted shots,” he continued.

“I advised him that as he moved into U-16 and U-19 cricket for the state, he would need to face numerous deliveries and learn to bat long innings, as four-day cricket requires that. If he aimed for a big shot every ball and neglected singles or doubles, he would increase his chances of getting out. However, he would respond, ‘Sir, if I can hit a six on that delivery, why settle for a single?’”

Ojha also emphasized Sooryavanshi’s fearless attitude during trials, which led to his selection by RR for the IPL. “Vaibhav faced various targets during trials and consistently met them. For instance, in his first over, he was tasked with scoring 18 runs and achieved it in three balls,” he stated.

“Later, he was advised to play more shots to the off-side after focusing on square shots, and he adapted by hitting significant shots in both areas. In another trial, he successfully scored 24 runs in a single over, completing it in five balls.”