IPL 2026 GT vs RR | Rathour terms Suryavanshi a very, very special player

Rajasthan Royals’ batting coach Vikram Rathour on Friday (April 3, 2026) reiterated his belief in Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s exceptional potential, describing the 15-year-old as a “very, very special player” who continues to justify the hype around him.

“He is a very, very special player. That’s what I believed last year as well. He has done really well post-IPL last year. He is still looking very good, working hard, and playing some really good cricket,” Rathour said on the eve of his team’s clash against Gujarat Titans (GT).

He also underlined the importance of the current season in Suryavanshi’s development. “It’s going to be an important season for him, but his mind is in the right space. He’s working really hard.”

Addressing how the franchise is managing expectations around the young batter, Rathour emphasised simplicity over needless tinkering. “Having loads of conversations with him. One thing that really stands out is that he is very calm. He is very relaxed. I know there’s a lot of attention on him. He’s really not under pressure. He enjoys playing, he enjoys hitting sixes. He loves his batting.”

GT assistant coach Aashish Kapoor backed Jos Buttler to rediscover his best, calling the England star a “top player” who is “on the right path” after a brief lean patch. “It’s a matter of one innings,” he said, stressing Buttler’s pride and hunger to return to form.

He also praised pacer Ashok Sharma as a “terrific talent,” highlighting his fearlessness despite being hit on his IPL debut against Punjab Kings. “He wanted the ball at any stage — that’s what matters,” Kapoor noted.

He added the current XI is “more or less” the ideal combination, with minor tweaks likely if results don’t go the team’s way.