Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise in IPL 2026 has been marked by big hits, but Rajasthan Royals teammate Dasun Shanaka says the 15-year-old’s calmness is just as striking as his power. Ahead of the Royals’ Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shanaka said the teenager has shown unusual maturity for someone so young.
Sooryavanshi has quickly become one of the season’s most talked-about batters because of his fearless style and clean boundary-hitting. His 93 off 38 balls against Lucknow Super Giants stood out as one of the most explosive innings of the campaign, even though he managed only four runs in the next match against Mumbai Indians.
A young batter who stays unchanged by success or failure
Shanaka said the left-hander does not let one innings define him, whether it is a match-winning knock or a quick dismissal. He praised the youngster’s habits in training and his attitude inside the dressing room, calling him “very professional” and “very cool.”
According to Shanaka, that temperament matters because the IPL can be a demanding environment for teenagers. Senior players often test rookies under pressure, but Sooryavanshi has reportedly handled the spotlight without showing signs of being overwhelmed.
“He is very professional. It’s not about failing or getting runs, but what he does at the practice and how he behaves in the dressing room,” Shanaka said. “I haven’t seen a kid like him behaving like that in the dressing room.”
Why Shanaka sees long-term potential
The Sri Lankan all-rounder also said Sooryavanshi looks natural in the way he handles the game’s highs and lows. He added that the youngster’s response to pressure has left a strong impression on senior teammates who have watched his growth closely this season.
Shanaka said he sees “a lot of potential” in the teenager and noted that the batter’s composure is rare at this stage of a career. The comments reflect how quickly Sooryavanshi has moved from promising youngster to one of the season’s most closely watched names.
Shanaka backs Riyan Parag’s leadership
Shanaka also addressed Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, who has led the team into the playoffs in his first full season as skipper. Parag has faced criticism for both his batting and some tactical decisions, but Shanaka defended him strongly and described him as a leader in the making.
“He is a very good captain. He sticks to his decisions. That’s what is important,” Shanaka said. He added that Parag could become an important leader for Rajasthan Royals and potentially for Indian cricket as well.
Shanaka also said he has exchanged ideas with Parag about leadership while continuing to learn from him as a teammate. The support comes at a time when Parag’s captaincy has become one of the most discussed parts of Rajasthan’s campaign.
Fitness and momentum ahead of the Eliminator
Shanaka gave a brief fitness update on Parag and Ravindra Jadeja, saying both had minor niggles but were expected to be available. That is a positive sign for Rajasthan Royals as they prepare for a knockout match with little room for error.
The Royals have also taken confidence from their recent win over Mumbai Indians, with Shanaka saying the group feels momentum is building at the right time. With two wins needed to reach the title, Rajasthan will lean on both its young talent and its growing dressing-room belief as the playoff race intensifies.
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