Rajasthan Royals coach Justin Langer hails 'breathtaking' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after historic IPL knock
Coach Justin Langer describes the teenager’s fearless strokeplay as a privilege to witness, noting that elite bowlers including Mitchell Starc and Anrich Nortje were left stunned by his adaptability.
Rajasthan Royals maintained their playoff aspirations with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. The win, achieved by successfully chasing a target of 221 runs, was anchored by a record-breaking innings from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose performance has drawn significant attention from coaching staff and opponents alike.
Sooryavanshi scored 93 runs off 38 balls, striking seven fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 244.74. His innings not only powered the chase but also made him the first Indian batter in Indian Premier League history to reach 50 sixes in a single season. The teenager’s dominance was such that he is currently the leading run-scorer for the Rajasthan Royals this season.
Rajasthan Royals coach Justin Langer, a former Australian international opener with 35 years of experience in the sport, publicly lauded the teenager’s fearless approach. Langer described Sooryavanshi’s batting as “breathtaking,” noting that the youngster’s ability to adapt across conditions mirrors that of legendary players from previous eras.
Langer highlighted specific instances where international bowlers appeared visibly unsettled by Sooryavanshi’s strokeplay earlier in the tournament. He recalled the expressions of elite white-ball bowlers Mitchell Starc and Anrich Nortje, stating that their reactions suggested a sense of bewilderment at the teenager’s skill level.
“The scary thing going forward is, if the expressions on the face of Mitch Starc and Nortje and every bowler tell a story now, what about when he learns how to bat?” Langer said. He added that truly great players always find a way to succeed, asserting that Sooryavanshi’s adaptability ensures he will thrive regardless of the conditions or formats he encounters.
Supporting the teenager’s explosive start, Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 53 off 38 deliveries, providing stability during the middle phase of the chase. The victory was sealed in style when Donovan Ferreira hit a six over long-on off the first ball of the final over, confirming the seven-wicket margin.
The result keeps Rajasthan Royals in contention for the postseason, while the broader IPL 2026 season continues with other fixtures, including a separate match in Ahmedabad where the Gujarat Titans defeated the Punjab Kings. Sooryavanshi’s performance, however, has established him as a central figure in the tournament’s narrative, with Langer calling it a “privilege” to watch the young batter take the field.
