What Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 1 Nightmare Involving Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in his lone match in Hyderabad (Source: AFP)India’s opening combination is under extreme scrutiny ahead of the fourth T20I against West Indies. Sanju Samson’s inconsistent returns have sparked calls to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India’s playing XI.Undoubtedly, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the most exciting young batting talents in Indian cricket, with his fearless strokeplay attracting attention across the cricketing world.However, one particular venue holds an unwanted memory for the 15-year-old sensation - the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has only one IPL Golden Duck, and it came in HyderabadSooryavanshi’s nightmare at Hyderabad dates back to Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 13.RR entered the contest in excellent form, having won their first four matches of the season, while Sooryavanshi had already made a strong impression with the bat.The left-handed opener had registered scores of 52, 31, 39 and 78 in his first four appearances of the campaign. Expectations were high ahead of the clash against SRH, but the youngster endured a difficult outing against debutant pacer Praful Hinge.After SRH posted 216/6, Hinge struck immediately with the new ball. He dismissed Sooryavanshi for a golden duck off the first delivery of the innings, leaving the Rajasthan Royals opener stunned.ALSO READ"He Thinks Like Me": Virender Sehwag Analyses Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's ApproachThe bowler followed it up by dismissing Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the same over, becoming the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in the opening over of a match.Sooryavanshi’s dismissal was particularly significant because it was the first golden duck of his IPL career. Although he had previously been dismissed for zero against Mumbai Indians in the 2025 season, that dismissal came after he faced two deliveries.The Hyderabad setback also proved costly for Rajasthan Royals, who were bowled out for 159 while chasing 217, losing the match by 57 runs. Hinge finished with four wickets, while fellow debutant Sakib Hussain also claimed four scalps.Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replace Sanju Samson in India’s Playing XI for 4th T20I?With India facing West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, speculation has intensified over whether the youngster could get an opportunity at the expense of Sanju Samson.Samson’s recent batting struggles have fuelled the debate, with supporters calling for Sooryavanshi to be given a chance. The teenager has already attracted considerable attention for his aggressive approach and ability to score quickly, making him an intriguing option at the top of the order.The numbers also favour Sooryavanshi. In his last five matches, he has an average of 40.8, compared with Samson's 21 over his last five. His strike rate of 190.65 is also well clear of Samson's 152.17. Sooryavanshi has two scores of 50 or more in that run, while Samson has one, the 82 at Ranchi.For now, Sooryavanshi’s selection remains the biggest question ahead of the fourth T20I. If he features in India’s playing XI, all eyes will be on how he approaches the opening overs at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.Will Hyderabad remain the venue associated with his only IPL golden duck, or will the young batter produce an innings that changes the narrative? The answer will depend first on the team selection and then on what Sooryavanshi delivers on the field.ALSO READEngland White-Ball Squads For Australia Tour Announced, Jacob Bethell Returns