Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his fearless approach clear ahead of Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans.
Rajasthan Royals teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has once again displayed maturity beyond his age ahead of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Gujarat Titans.
The 15-year-old opener narrowly missed out on becoming the owner of the fastest century in IPL history after smashing 97 runs from just 29 deliveries in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, despite falling three runs short of the milestone, Sooryavanshi insisted that personal achievements mean little if the team does not win.
The RR batter revealed that his father taught him the importance of putting the team first from a very young age.
“Since childhood, my father has always told me that if you score a hundred, a double hundred, or even a triple hundred, but the team does not win because of it, then those runs hold no value. They may only for your personal record, but they do not benefit the team. Cricket, in the end, is a team game,”
Sooryavanshi further explained that even a smaller contribution becomes more meaningful if it helps Rajasthan Royals secure victory.
“So, if I score 80 instead of a hundred and my team wins, and if we still do not win despite me scoring a century, then that 80 means more to me than the hundred. The longer my team stays in the tournament and the deeper we go into the playoffs and finals, the more chances I will get to score hundreds and achieve whatever records I want to break. So, it benefits both me personally and the team as well,” Sooryavanshi said.
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RR Star Maintains Aggressive Intent Before GT Clash
Despite the pressure of a knockout encounter against Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans, Sooryavanshi confirmed that Rajasthan Royals would continue playing fearless cricket.
The left-handed opener has been the biggest breakout star of IPL 2026 and currently leads the Orange Cap race after piling up 680 runs in 15 matches at a staggering strike rate of 242.85.
Ahead of the crucial Qualifier 2 battle, Sooryavanshi said RR would stick to the aggressive and positive approach that has brought them success throughout the season.
“We are looking to go in with a good mindset and positive intent and continue doing what the whole team has done throughout the tournament. We should continue to enjoy the game, which we always do, not take the pressure of a big match, and back our strengths. As a team and as a unit, we want to reach the finals and hopefully lift the trophy,”
Sooryavanshi Continues To Dominate IPL 2026
Sooryavanshi’s sensational Eliminator knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad further strengthened his reputation as one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket this season.
The youngster’s fearless approach has helped Rajasthan Royals make a strong run into the playoffs, with the franchise now standing just one win away from reaching the IPL 2026 final.
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Apart from leading the Orange Cap standings, Sooryavanshi is also considered the leading contender for the IPL 2026 Most Valuable Player award after producing multiple record-breaking performances throughout the tournament.
Rajasthan Royals will now look towards their star opener once again as they prepare to face Gujarat Titans in a high-stakes Qualifier 2 clash with a place in the final on the line.
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