Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary IPL 2026 campaign has earned widespread praise from across the cricketing world, and now Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has joined the list of admirers. The veteran coach described the 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter as a “special talent” and encouraged him to continue playing the fearless brand of cricket that has made him one of the biggest stories of the season.
Sooryavanshi enjoyed a dream IPL season, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 776 runs. His ability to dominate some of the world’s best bowlers, coupled with crucial knocks during the Rajasthan Royals’ playoff run, has sparked discussions about his future with the Indian team.
“Well, he is an exceptional talent, undoubtedly. I mean, the way he has played in this IPL is remarkable. The way he has hit all the first-class, international and world-class bowlers, that is commendable and I must say that he is a special talent. I really find Vaibhav very good.”
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Rajkumar Sharma was particularly impressed by the youngster’s fearless approach, a quality that has helped him stand out despite his age. “The type of fearless cricket he plays and the way he has hit world-class bowlers is commendable. The way he has hit those sixes is just unbelievable, for T20 cricket, he is just brilliant.”
When asked what advice he would offer the teenager, Sharma made it clear that he sees no reason for Sooryavanshi to alter his approach in the shortest format.
“Since he is playing T20, I would say don’t change anything. Just go and play like this, the way you are playing. You are playing tremendous cricket and the way you are hitting, keep on hitting the ball and entertaining the people. However, Sharma also noted that it is too early to judge how the youngster might adapt to longer formats.
He added, “When it comes to playing Test cricket, I haven’t seen enough of him to judge how mature he is, how he can change his game, how he can leave the ball outside the off stump or how he can play swing bowling. But for now, I want him to continue the way he is playing.”
The experienced coach also dismissed comparisons with Virat Kohli, emphasizing that the former India captain’s achievements place him in a different category.
“I don’t believe in comparing people. What Virat has done in the last 18 years, I mean it’s a very long period that he has been so consistent. Virat is a different player. He is a legend now. He is a great player, which he has proved by winning so many matches.” At the same time, Sharma acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s immense potential.
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“But looking at Vaibhav, he looks very good, a very talented guy and he has got good temperament also. Here we see a rising star and we really love to see him grow. Addressing concerns about the teenager’s fitness, Sharma remained confident about his long-term development. QNo, fitness will come. He is still a baby and he has got superpower. That is the brilliant thing about him.”
With his fearless batting and remarkable consistency, Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of Indian cricket’s brightest young prospects. While comparisons with established stars may be premature, his performances in IPL 2026 suggest that he has the talent and temperament to achieve great things in the years ahead.
