Vikram Rathour makes funny Vaibhav Sooryavanshi confession after Jofra Archer’s – Vikram Rathour Reveals Secret to Dismissing IPL 2026 Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The Phenomenon of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
In the high-stakes arena of IPL 2026, few names have commanded as much attention as 15-year-old Bihar native Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals opener has been a revelation, dismantling established bowling attacks with a fearlessness that defies his age. While international veterans have found themselves at the mercy of his aggressive stroke play, the question on everyone’s lips remains: how do you stop him?
The Jofra Archer Dilemma
Following the Rajasthan Royals’ emphatic victory in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, speedster Jofra Archer found himself in a lighthearted spot during a post-match discussion. When pressed on his specific tactics for bowling to Sooryavanshi during practice sessions, Archer opted for a diplomatic, albeit humorous, route. He laughed off the inquiry, suggesting that he would only be willing to divulge his ‘secret’ plans once the tournament has concluded. This response, while playful, underscores the genuine frustration and caution that top-tier bowlers feel when facing the teenage sensation.
Vikram Rathour’s Playful Claim
While the pace bowlers remain tight-lipped, Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour has provided a refreshing, albeit cryptic, perspective. During a live broadcast conversation with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Rathour offered a tongue-in-cheek solution to the ‘Sooryavanshi problem.’ He claimed, with a smile, that he is perhaps the only individual in the Rajasthan camp capable of dismissing the youngster—using nothing more than sidearm throwdowns in the nets.
“It’s only me, I think. I throw it with my stick, and I actually get him out quite often. I’m not telling you why,” Rathour joked, successfully keeping his methodology under wraps while highlighting the uniqueness of the situation.
Coaching a ‘Genius’ in Flow
Moving past the humor, Rathour provided deeper insight into what it is like to manage a talent as raw and explosive as Sooryavanshi. The coach admitted that his primary strategy has been to step back and avoid over-coaching. According to Rathour, when a player hits such an incredible rhythm, the most professional course of action is often to stay silent and allow the player to maintain their natural flow.
“To be honest, the way he is batting, as a coach, one of the key things that I’ve learned is that sometimes it’s better to say nothing,” Rathour explained. “And when someone is batting like that, it’s the perfect flow. So, I’m not telling him anything. Just enjoy your batting, look to bat well, and that’s it.”
Mindset and Adaptability
Beyond the technical brilliance, Rathour identifies the youngster’s mindset as his greatest asset. Sooryavanshi does not merely rely on talent; he possesses an analytical approach to his game. He actively seeks out scoring opportunities and demonstrates a rapid learning curve when facing new challenges. Rathour noted that whenever opposing teams devise new tactical plans to stifle the teenager, Sooryavanshi responds with maturity, adjusting his game to find new avenues for attack.
“His biggest strength is to work on his game. He’s almost a genius, the way he is batting at the moment. But the way he thinks his cricket is well is a big strength. Whatever people are trying, he is responding to it. Takes everything well. He practices it. You can see that he has all the shots. So far, he has brilliantly responded to everything he’s been through. Let’s see how far he goes,” added the coach.
As the IPL 2026 season reaches its climax, the cricket world will be watching closely to see if any bowler can finally crack the code that has left even the most seasoned veterans searching for answers. For now, the “secret” remains firmly in the hands of Vikram Rathour, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues his extraordinary journey on the biggest stage of them all.
