Kumar Sangakkara Lauds Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Talent Ahead of Key IPL Match

In a recent press conference, Rajasthan Royals' head coach Kumar Sangakkara praised young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his talent and understanding of the game. He encouraged the player to enjoy his cricket and embrace both successes and failures as part of his growth. As the Royals prepare for a crucial match against Delhi Capitals, Sangakkara emphasized the importance of focusing on each game and maintaining consistent performance. Currently sitting fifth in the IPL standings, the team aims to secure their playoff spot by winning their remaining matches. Discover more about Sangakkara's insights and the team's strategy moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 17, 2026, 02:24 IST

Sangakkara's Praise for Young Batter

New Delhi, May 16: Kumar Sangakkara, the head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR), has expressed admiration for young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting his exceptional talent and understanding of the game.

Sangakkara encouraged Sooryavanshi to maintain a relaxed demeanor, enjoy his time on the field, and embrace both successes and setbacks as part of his growth. He acknowledged that despite being young, Sooryavanshi has earned the respect of his senior teammates.

Speaking to reporters ahead of RR's upcoming match against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sangakkara stated, “Vaibhav is incredibly talented and youthful. He should relish every moment on the pitch. He will experience highs and lows, which is perfectly fine. He loves batting, has a keen understanding of the game, and is a smart young player. He has proven himself among the senior players in the squad.”

Currently, Rajasthan Royals are positioned fifth in the IPL standings, having secured six victories out of 11 matches, totaling 12 points. The team aims to win at least two of their remaining games to enhance their chances of reaching the playoffs.

Sangakkara stressed the necessity of focusing on the present rather than looking too far ahead, emphasizing that the team must concentrate on each match and maintain consistent performance standards. He pointed out that while the bowling unit is performing well, the batting has been somewhat erratic, which he considers typical in T20 cricket.

“It’s easy to get ahead of ourselves. We have discussions with players to keep their focus sharp. Winning all our matches is crucial, and it presents a good challenge for the team. The key is to maintain consistency in our performance. We are in a good position with our bowling, but our batting needs improvement. This is common in T20 cricket. Believing in our skills is essential to overcome any opponent,” he added.