Rajasthan Royals Suffer First IPL 2026 Defeat as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Struggles

Rajasthan Royals suffered their first defeat in IPL 2026, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 57 runs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was expected to shine, faced a disappointing golden duck. Reports indicate he is unhappy with his recent role as an impact player, preferring to contribute more actively on the field. Despite this setback, Sooryavanshi has had a stellar season, scoring 200 runs in five matches, and may soon earn a call-up to the Indian team for the T20I series against Ireland. Read on to discover more about his journey and the team's challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 12:02 IST

Rajasthan Royals' Setback Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

In their IPL 2026 campaign, Rajasthan Royals (RR) encountered their first loss, falling short by 57 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The spotlight was on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who entered the match with impressive form. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for a golden duck on just the second ball, bowled by debutant Praful Hinge, marking the first time he has faced such a dismissal in his IPL journey. Following this setback, it has been reported that the 15-year-old is dissatisfied with the role assigned to him in the previous two matches.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Expresses Discontent with Impact Player Role

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Not Happy Being Impact Player

Initially, Sooryavanshi was not included in the starting XI when RR bowled first. He was brought in as an impact player during the second innings. Trevor Penny, the assistant coach for RR, disclosed that the young talent was unhappy with this arrangement, as he prefers to field and contribute more actively to the game. His exclusion from the playing XI was not due to poor fielding skills but rather to make room for Donovan Fereira, who returned from a collarbone injury and is known for his exceptional fielding abilities.

“He was not pleased about missing the last game because he enjoys fielding. It’s not that he’s a poor fielder,” Penny explained. “Donovan has cleared his fitness test after breaking his collarbone in the SA20. He’s an excellent fielder, and it’s great to have him back, which unfortunately meant Vaibhav had to sit out,” he added.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Stellar IPL Performance Sparks India Call-Up Speculation

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Sensational IPL Form Prompts India Debut

Sooryavanshi has been outstanding in IPL 2026, amassing 200 runs across five matches with an impressive strike rate of 265. His performance includes two half-centuries, highlighted by a remarkable 78 runs off just 26 balls against the Mumbai Indians. Reports suggest that the 15-year-old may soon receive a call-up to join the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland in June.