Rajasthan Royals warn Sooryavanshi: Dravid-like mentor key to season

former indian allrounder Irrfan Pathan As the hype around teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to heat up ahead of IPL 2026, we’re sounding the alarm while also backing the youngster to perform well in what could be a defining season.Speaking on JioStar, Pathan noted that the real test for Vaibhav begins now and the team is expected to come up with a clear strategy to deal with his explosive knocks.

“Vaibhav will face challenges. Every team will have specific plans for him. We have seen how teams have planned for Abhishek and Vaibhav will face a similar situation. But I think he has ‘dumb’. Wherever he plays, be it U-19, India A He can score runs in red-ball cricket. He has been making runs. Last season, we saw him in just seven games and this season he is likely to play a full game, so it could very well be a breakthrough season for Vaibhav,” Pathan said.Vaibhav marches intense pulsed light Become one of the most watched young players in the Indian Premier League in 2026. The 14-year-old made headlines last season with his stunning 35-ball hundred against the Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest player in IPL history to achieve a century and the fastest Indian player to reach the milestone, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s record.His rise in international age-group cricket has been equally remarkable. Vaibhav scored a match-winning 175 off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England, earning man-of-the-match honors and leading India to its sixth title.Despite the growing attention, Pathan stressed the importance of mental balance for the youngster as he goes through the early stages of what could be a lengthy career.“At the same time, it is important for Vaibhav not to let anything affect him mentally. It is amazing to think that at just 15 years old, he has the potential to have a career of 20-25 years. In an era where longevity is not always a priority, Vaibhav has this opportunity. He needs to stay mentally free and not fall into the trap of thinking things are too easy. Rahul DravidThe role last season was crucial and having a mentor like that again this season will be important. There will certainly be a plan against him – teams will likely look to keep the ball outside off the stumps, away from the arc of his bat, and use variations to restrict him. He has to adapt and overcome these challenges,” he added.Vaibhav became the youngest player in IPL history at just 14 years and 23 days after being selected rajasthan royals The auction price for 2025 is Rs 11 Crore, now setting higher expectations for the entire season.Kumar Sangakkara took over as head coach after Rahul Dravid left, Ryanparag Rajasthan Royals will start their IPL 2026 campaign against chennai super kings March 30 in Guwahati.As expectations continue to build, all eyes will be on Vaibhav to see if he can live up to the expectations and translate promise into consistent performances in the upcoming season.