‘Simple, fearless approach’ — Zaheer Khan hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s batting in IPL 2026

There is no stopping for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Like the IPL 2025, in the ongoing season too, the young gun has been firing all cylinders for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). With him at the top of the batting order, the Royals outplayed the table-topping Punjab Kings on Tuesday night. 

Like many other cricket experts, Indian cricket legend Zaheer Khan is also in awe to see such terrific batting from a 15-year-old boy. During a brief interaction with the news agency PTI, the former Team India pacer expressed his amazement at the emerging batter’s talent.

 Zaheer Khan praises Vaibhav’s fearless intent and clarity at the crease:

During the interaction, Zaheer Khan said that it is extraordinary to see some at such a young age taking on the world-class bowlers so easily with a very attacking mindset by maintaining a simple approach. Whenever he walks into the crease, Sooryavanshi looks confident and tries to play without any fear.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has got the start; now, his only duty is to continue the momentum, which is the most challenging part of a cricketer’s career. Zaheer advises the budding opener to keep the focus intact and continue the hard work.

“Well, it's been very great to see someone taking the bowlers on at such a young age, keeping it very simple in his approach, having a fearless approach. Shows the kind of confidence, the kind of ability the youngster has, and it's been very exciting to see him take on the game,” Zaheer Khan said.

“Well, I think for him right now, it's just about focusing on what's working and keeping it very simple and pure. That's what we see from him, and the rest of the things take care of themselves,” he added.

Read More: Watch: ‘Bhagwan ney…’- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gives blunt reply to Pakistan expert’s ‘AI chip’ remark amidst IPL 2026

Sooryavanshi continues to impress with consistent performances in IPL 2026:

So far in the IPL 2026 season, the southpaw has scored 400 runs in total in 9 matches and 9 innings with an amazing strike rate of 238.09 and a batting average of 44.44. During the crucial win against the Punjab Kings, who were undefeated ahead of the match, the opener offered Rajasthan Royals a flying start to chase down the target of 223. In this match, he scored 43 runs.

In the previous game, which was against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the batter from Bihar scripted a 103-run knock off 37 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. That innings was decorated with five 4s and twelve 6s.  

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 batting stats so far: