![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: AFP, AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1779960684542_Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi_and_Yashasvi_Jaiswal.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: AFP, AP]
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bulldozed SRH bowlers with a breathtaking 29-ball 97 in the Eliminator of the IPL 2026 season. His innings also stormed the Rajasthan Royals franchise into the second qualifier of the tournament.
Fittingly bagging the ‘Player of the Match’ award, Sooryavanshi continues to hog the limelight off late with his record-shattering and match-winning knocks for the Royals. His senior partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, on the other hand, seems to be left out despite enjoying a prolific season on his own, at least as per former CSK cricketer Ambati Rayudu.
According to Rayudu, Jaiswal must exit the Rajasthan Royals and play for some other franchise where he can take the lead as an opener instead of getting repeatedly overshadowed by a 15-year-old.
Ambati Rayudu wants Jaiswal to leave Rajasthan Royals
Former CSK cricketer and IPL great Ambati Rayudu has urged Yashasvi Jaiswal to leave the Rajasthan Royals franchise.
According to Rayudu, a player like Jaiswal cannot afford to get “overshadowed every single time” by his opening partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi since the elegant Indian Test opener is a “star in his own right”.
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While speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the multi-IPL winner said “He needs to change his team because he cannot just bat with the guy and be overshadowed every single time. Because Jaiswal’s a star in his own right. If he goes to another team, he will win games on his own.”
Ambati Rayudu even suggested that Mumbai Indians will be a good fit for Yashasvi Jaiswal, since the prolific opener already plays for the Mumbai cricket team at the domestic level.
He said “Mumbai Indians can be a great team to play for Jaiswal.”
Jaiswal’s exit will also help Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, says Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu also added that Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exit from the Rajasthan Royals might also benefit 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. According to Rayudu, a young dynamic opener like Sooryavanshi needs a senior opening partner who is not in a direct competition with him, and can deal with his dynamics.
He added “He needs that space and a platform, because Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will continue to overshadow people. And even Sooryavanshi needs a senior partner along with him, who can deal with it and be happy for him. Be happy for what is happening and not be in contest with your opening partner.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal in IPL 2026 so far
While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently holding the ‘Orange Cap’ for aggregating 680 runs in just 15 innings of the IPL 2026 season, Yashasvi Jaiswal himself has listed 426 runs in as many innings of the tournament.
The Indian Test opener has charted three half-centuries so far, which included an electrifying 32-ball 77* in a match-winning cause against the Mumbai Indians last month.
Jaiswal is averaging 32.76 this season and is striking at 153.23. While impressive by IPL standards, his numbers fall pale in comparison to Sooryavanshi’s average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85.
Rajasthan Royals to face Titans in Qualifier 2
Rajasthan Royals will now take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2026 season. The match will be hosted by the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday, May 29 and the action will commence from 7:30 PM IST onwards.
