IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer Calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a Future Star
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New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, has praised young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Rajasthan Royals as an extraordinary talent who is undoubtedly ‘one for the future.’ He emphasized that all words would fall short in capturing the essence of Sooryavanshi's dynamic batting abilities.
As of now, Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs in just six innings, boasting an impressive average of 41 and a remarkable strike-rate of 236.53. “He is an outstanding talent, and all the terms we use would be inadequate for him. The fluidity of his bat, along with the rhythm and momentum he generates before each delivery, signals that he is destined for greatness,” Iyer expressed on JioStar’s ‘Believe’.
Iyer himself has been performing well, accumulating 208 runs across six innings at an average of 52 and a strike-rate of 182.45. He also reflected on a notable instinctive shot he played against Jasprit Bumrah during the second qualifier of IPL 2025, a moment that contributed to PBKS finishing as runners-up in the tournament.
“It was purely instinctive. My intention was to hit straight down the ground. That was the thought process; regardless of where he bowled, I aimed to go straight. When you're in that position, your head remains completely still, and your body flows in a certain rhythm.
“Facing one of the best bowlers globally, who executes his angles and deliveries with precision, requires trusting your instincts. To play that shot and guide it towards third man with the field set in, I appreciated that as well.
“I chose not to celebrate because I understood we had to return and play again the next day. Showing emotions can lead to fluctuations in heart rate. Once you maintain control over your feelings, it allows for clarity in your mindset and decisiveness regarding your objectives,” he added.