IPL 2026: Warning sounded for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for second season blues

Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji expressed astonishment astatine Rajasthan Royals’ determination to manus the captaincy to Riyan Parag for IPL 2026, noting the beingness of much seasoned campaigners specified arsenic Yashasvi Jaiswal,

Ravindra Jadeja

, and England all-rounder Sam Curran. Speaking to JioStar, Balaji called the determination “kind of a gamble” but acknowledged the imaginable positives nether the guidance of caput manager

Kumar Sangakkara

. “Captaining successful the IPL is not conscionable astir on-field decisions, it’s besides astir managing the dressing room. Your dependable and spot request to beryllium earned. In that sense, it’s a double-edged sword. With Sangakkara’s guidance, though, it could beryllium a invaluable learning accidental for Riyan. If helium balances his show with leadership, it could truly assistance him,” Balaji explained. He besides highlighted the value of consistency for young talents similar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

“We’ve seen the benignant of endowment Vaibhav has. That 100 against Gujarat Titans was impressive, but the 2nd play is ever tougher. Opponents volition person studied him, and maintaining show volition beryllium a challenge. Sangakkara’s mentorship volition beryllium cardinal for him to physique consistency,” helium added. Rajasthan Royals’ opening signifier of IPL 2026 volition spot them clash with

Chennai Super Kings

successful Guwahati connected March 30. Their consequent fixtures see a March 4 lucifer against Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans successful Ahmedabad, an April 7 showdown with five-time champions Mumbai Indians, and an April 10 brushwood with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.