Sooryavanshi's fearless powerplay approach 'phenomenal' to watch, says Tare
Synopsis
Aditya Tare's endorsement of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's high-risk, attack-first strategy in IPL 2026 cuts to the heart of modern T20 cricket: fearlessness over caution. With 404 runs and a century in Jaipur last season, Sooryavanshi is rewriting the opener's playbook for Rajasthan Royals — and it's working.
Key Takeaways
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 404 runs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 , sitting at fifth place in the run-making charts.
Aditya Tare praised Sooryavanshi's high-risk, attack-first approach in the powerplay as 'phenomenal' and authentic to his game.
Sooryavanshi scored a century against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur last season, a template Tare says he should replicate.
Gujarat Titans struggle to finish matches early despite strong opening stands, an issue batting coach Matthew Hayden is addressing.
RR host GT at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday evening.
Aditya Tare, the former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter, has praised Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's aggressive batting blueprint, describing it as 'phenomenal' to witness the teenaged batter take on the best bowlers in IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi has accumulated 404 runs so far for RR and sits at fifth spot in the tournament's run-making charts.
Sooryavanshi's high-risk strategy
Speaking on Star Sports, Tare outlined the strengths and inherent risks of Sooryavanshi's approach. "Vaibhav's batting style is high-risk, especially in the powerplay. He will sometimes get out going for big shots, but that's his natural game. He doesn't let pressure build. He attacks from the very first ball. That's what makes him who he is," Tare said.
The Jaipur century benchmark
Tare pointed to Sooryavanshi's century against Gujarat Titans last season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur as a template for success. "He scored a century against Gujarat Titans last season in Jaipur. That's the kind of innings he needs to remember. Hopefully, he can extend those batting spells and spend more time in the middle. It is phenomenal to watch him take on the best bowlers in the league during the Powerplay," the former Mumbai stalwart added.
GT's middle-order finish problem
Tare also flagged Gujarat Titans' recurring struggle to close out matches decisively despite strong opening stands. "Gujarat Titans have struggled to finish games early. Their batting coach Matthew Hayden is focusing on this issue," Tare observed. He noted that Hayden is working with middle-order players including Rahul Tewatia and Washington Sundar to accelerate the chase and prevent matches from extending unnecessarily. "You don't want to waste the strong start given by the top order. So, this is an area GT need to improve," he said.
GT's bowling strength
On the bowling front, Tare assessed Gujarat Titans as well-equipped. "On the bowling front, they look well settled. They have quality options in the pace attack, and Rashid Khan is bowling well in the spin department," he added. The Rajasthan Royals will host Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday evening, with Sooryavanshi's aggressive form likely to be a focal point.
Point of View
Yet the best openers in the format have always been those who refuse to play percentage cricket. Sooryavanshi's 404 runs validate his method, but the real test is whether he can sustain it under knockout pressure. Gujarat Titans' middle-order struggles, meanwhile, expose a structural weakness — they can start fast but often can't finish. That's not a coaching problem; it's a mentality gap.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and how has he performed in IPL 2026?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a teenaged opener for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. He has scored 404 runs so far and is currently ranked fifth in the tournament's run-making charts, known for his aggressive powerplay batting.
What is Aditya Tare's assessment of Sooryavanshi's batting approach?
Aditya Tare praised Sooryavanshi's high-risk, attack-first strategy as 'phenomenal,' noting that he attacks from the first ball without letting pressure build. Tare acknowledged that this approach sometimes leads to dismissals on big shots, but it is Sooryavanshi's natural game.
When and where will Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans?
Rajasthan Royals will host Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday evening during IPL 2026.
What issue is Gujarat Titans facing in their batting?
According to Tare, Gujarat Titans have struggled to finish matches early despite strong opening stands. Batting coach Matthew Hayden is working with middle-order players like Rahul Tewatia and Washington Sundar to close out chases without letting them extend unnecessarily.
Which century by Sooryavanshi does Tare reference as a benchmark?
Tare references Sooryavanshi's century against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur last season, which he suggests the opener should replicate in upcoming matches.
