Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has spoken about how young teammate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is influencing his approach in IPL 2026. According to Jaiswal, the fearless style of the 15-year-old batter is pushing him to try new shots and play more attacking cricket.
Both players were the stars of Rajasthan Royals’ 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on April 7. The match was reduced to 11 overs per side because of severe hailstorms.
Jaiswal on the Impact of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
After the match, Jaiswal praised Sooryavanshi for his fearless batting and strong work ethic. He said the young opener’s confidence at the crease motivates him to improve his own game.
Jaiswal explained that their conversations about attacking plans often help both players. He said Sooryavanshi’s positive mindset encourages him to play freely and take risks.
He added that when the youngster attacks bowlers, he supports him with positive messages and encourages him to continue playing fearless cricket.
Explosive Opening Stand Sets the Tone
The Rajasthan Royals opening pair produced a powerful start that changed the momentum of the game.
Jaiswal attacked right from the beginning and scored 22 runs off Deepak Chahar in the very first over. His aggressive start immediately put pressure on the Mumbai Indians bowlers.
Sooryavanshi then joined the attack in style. He hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six on the very first ball he faced and followed it with another big hit off the same bowler.
The duo added 80 runs in just 30 balls, one of the most explosive starts of the season.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 77* | 32 | Aggressive start and steady finish |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 39 | 14 | Fearless power hitting |
Jaiswal mixed innovative shots such as scoops and uppercuts with traditional strokes to keep the scoring rate high. Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi’s fearless hitting gave Rajasthan Royals the early momentum they needed.
Thanks to this strong partnership, RR managed to score 150 runs in the rain-shortened 11-over innings.
Also See : Ravindra Jadeja vs Hardik Pandya: All-Round Stats Comparison Before RR vs MI IPL 2026 Match
Mumbai Indians Struggle During the Chase
Chasing a target of 151, Mumbai Indians failed to build momentum from the start.
Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma were dismissed early, while Suryakumar Yadav attempted an attacking lap shot but lost his wicket soon after.
Hardik Pandya tried to rebuild the innings but could not accelerate against the disciplined Rajasthan Royals bowling attack.
Sherfane Rutherford played a short but explosive cameo of 25 runs from just 8 balls. However, a sharp catch ended his innings and MI’s hopes of a comeback.
Mumbai Indians eventually finished at 123 for 9 in 11 overs.
Rajasthan Royals Bowlers Seal the Win
Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers delivered a strong performance to defend the total.
Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma took two wickets each, while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi also claimed two wickets.
Their tight bowling ensured that MI never got close to the required run rate.
| Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Nandre Burger | 2 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 2 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 2 |
Player of the Match
Yashasvi Jaiswal was named Player of the Match for his outstanding unbeaten knock of 77 runs from 32 balls. His innings played a major role in helping Rajasthan Royals post a strong total.
The win marked Rajasthan Royals’ third consecutive victory in IPL 2026 and highlighted the importance of their aggressive opening pair.
Key Match Statistics
| Match Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Jaiswal Runs | 77* off 32 balls |
| Sooryavanshi Runs | 39 off 14 balls |
| Opening Partnership | 80 runs in 30 balls |
| RR Total | 150 in 11 overs |
| MI Score | 123/9 in 11 overs |
| Player of the Match | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
The match showed how Rajasthan Royals plan to approach IPL 2026 — attacking cricket at the top of the order combined with disciplined bowling. With players like Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi leading the charge, RR have made a strong start to the season.
