- By Namrata Vijay
- Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IPL 2026: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has showered huge praise on Rajasthan Royals teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as a spectacular talent and 'one for the future' after his dream run in the ongoing season. Sooryavanshi has been one of the best performers this year, scoring 246 runs in six matches at a brilliant strike rate of 236+, impressing everyone with his aggressive batting.
"He is a spectacular talent, and all the adjectives would be pretty much less for him. The way he has that bat flow, the rhythm and momentum he creates before the delivery- I think he is one for the future", Shreyas Iyer told broadcasters during the post-match presentation.
'Be yourself': Iyer's mantra of fearless batting
Iyer, who himself has been in sublime form, having scored 208 runs in IPL 2026 so far, has highlighted how important self-belief and individuality are in the shortest format, and this is the approach he believes aligns brilliantly with Sooryavanshi's style of play.
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"Whenever I speak to players, my only message is just be yourself. Don't try to mimic or emulate anyone. When you are fearless and flamboyant in your own way, you don't have to copy anyone," he added.
The Punjab skipper backed his approach, as it has helped his openers, Prabsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, succeed, with both having scored more than 200 runs so far.
"When you tell these guys, they are match-winners, it instills confidence in them. They can go out there and play freely", he said.
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Discussing his batting, Iyer recalled a memorable moment against Jasprit Bumrah when his instincts took over. "It was instinctive. Facing the world's best bowler, you have to trust your instincts," he concluded.
Although Iyer is determined to help Punjab Kings win their maiden title, his betting on Sooryavanshi shows a significant shift in this tournament, where young, aggressive batters have changed the tempo of the game.