Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Source: AFP Photos)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi haven’t been on the field for his team, the Rajasthan Royals, so much this season. In fact, the MI vs RR clash in IPL 2026 was the first time he featured as a core member of the Playing XI. The 15-year-old, although he shone with the bat throughout the season, came in the form of an Impact Substitute most of the time.
As a fielder, Sooryavanshi packed a stunner in the MI vs RR clash to send back dangerous Ryan Rickelton, which also became his first catch of the season. The promising catch became one of the classy fielding efforts the match had seen throughout the afternoon.
Why Has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Haven’t Featured As A Fielder In IPL 2026?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the star opener for RR for most of the matches this season, and due to playing combinations and induction of a crucial bowler in place of Sooryavanshi, he has been ignored as a fielder for the team.
Vaibhav, a bit on the heavier side as a 15-year-old, has been deemed slightly unfit for fielding by the RR management; however, the trust shown in the last match of the group stage will instil courage and confidence in the opener too.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Makes New Record!
Notably, Vaibhav’s catch of Ricklton made him the youngest ever player to take a catch in the history of IPL at 15 years old, while he also packed the stunner to be his first ever.
During the second ball of the fourth over, positioned at midwicket inside the circle, the youngster showed excellent composure to safely complete a sharp chance offered by Ryan Rickelton off Nandre Burger’s bowling.
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The dismissal came immediately after RR had built pressure in the powerplay, with even Rajasthan Royals director Kumar Sangakkara applauding the effort from the dugout.
The catch also answered recent criticism surrounding Sooryavanshi’s fielding involvement, as the youngster displayed safe hands in a key moment of the MI vs RR clash.
Mumbai Indians In Tatters after Powerplay
The MI camp looked happy and overwhelmed after they managed to keep Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal at bay during their bowling, however, late hammering from Jofra Archer, Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel as well led the team to build 205 runs as a target.
Coming to the chase, MI faltered miserably with Rohit Sharma gone in the very first over for a duck. Losing 4 wickets inside the powerplay, Suryakumar Yadav and Will Jacks helped the team steer through the shaky moments.
However, the partnership didn’t last long as in the 12th over Jacks lost his wicket ending a promising 63-run partnership.
Whether MI cruises to a victory at home or not will be a spectacle to look out for, but Sooryavanshi’s rise as an excellent catcher of the ball will be a major revelation for RR.
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Conclusion: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi And The Efforts That Matter!
While RR are currently fighting to save their IPL 2026 campaign for the playoffs, they will find Sooryavanshi as one of their key players and, more importantly, fielders of the tournament.
While Vaibhav’s athleticism on the field was a delight for RR fans, it is also true that if RR qualifies for the Playoffs, crucial bowlers will need to come in place of him as an impact substitute to chip in what Vaibhav cannot deliver with the ball.
Hence, doesn’t matter, however bitter it might sound, Vaibhav’s place in the RR playing XI is still uncertain, given that Rajasthan advances in the tournament.
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