Guwahati, March 30 (NationPress) Rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who dazzled the ACA Stadium with an explosive 52 runs off just 17 balls, stated that the team aimed to take control during the powerplay in their straightforward chase of 128 runs against Chennai Super Kings. “I didn’t really celebrate much - there was a cake-cutting planned, but I chose to rest early to skip the cake-smearing,” he remarked, reflecting on his birthday celebrations last week. “Our strategy today was to execute our game plan effectively during the powerplay. Initially, the pitch felt somewhat sticky, but as the ball aged, it began to come on nicely to the bat.”

“While I do consider my defensive game, today’s focus was on dominating the powerplay, because in a small chase, that period is vital. If the bowling side performs well there, they can shift the game's momentum, but fortunately, our powerplay went exceptionally well,” Sooryavanshi explained following the match.

His remarkable innings, which marked the third-fastest fifty in IPL history, effectively secured the win for Rajasthan Royals as they chased down 128 runs in under six overs. Teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Riyan Parag later finished the job with 47 balls remaining, showcasing a commanding performance that started with sharp spells from Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Ravindra Jadeja, who restricted CSK to 127 runs.

When asked about advice from coaches and his opening partner Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi stated, “The coaches didn’t specifically mention that the bowlers would target me - everyone else was already suggesting that - but they assured me of their support and encouraged me to stick to my natural game.”

“My opening partner, Jaiswal, maintains constant communication with me after each ball—he advises when to take singles, allows me to take the strike, and motivates me to continue playing my shots if the ball is coming well onto the bat,” he added, emphasizing their partnership.

Player of the Match Nandre Burger, who took 2 wickets for 26 runs, credited the team's strong bowling start for their victory. “Firstly, all glory goes to God - it feels amazing to contribute to the team's success and establish a strong beginning. Observing previous games with high scores, you naturally prepare for big chases, so winning the toss and opting to bowl first was crucial for us to get off to a solid start.”

When questioned about his approach during the powerplay, Burger stated, “The goal is always to dismiss every batter. I can’t say I intended to bowl that precise delivery to Sanju Samson, it just happened—it could be termed natural variation—but the overall strategy was to maintain tight lines and encourage batters to hit to our preferred areas, so I’m pleased it worked out today.”

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is quite similar to before - a few new faces and changes in the coaching staff and captaincy, but the energy remains positive, and everyone is smiling. We hope this marks a positive start that allows us to sustain momentum going forward,” he concluded.