IPL: Young Vaibhav attracts eyeballs ahead of KKR game at Eden Gardens

He may have failed in the last game against Mumbai Indians, but the chubby faced Vaibhav Suryavanshi was attracted a lot of eyeballs during Rajasthan Royals’ practice session at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

A warm reception, no doubt, awaits him even from the passionate rival fans in their day game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.

Knights, who managed to keep their chances afloat with a creditable win against an in-form Delhi Capitals earlier this week, will still be in the race if they can win all their remaining four games – as it would help them finish on 17 points. Royals, on the other hand, are out of reckoning with merely six points from 11 matches and will be looking to build on the few positive takeaways from this season.

The emergence of wonderkid Vaibhav, who became the flavour of IPL ever since he slammed the 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans last Monday, is one investment which the Royals can gloat about after their Rs 1.1 crore gamble at the mega auction. The franchise may have failed to add to their 2008 title in the augural edition, but can take pride in the manner they have raised promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag and now  Vaibhav at their central academy in Nagpur.

Speaking at the pre-match media conference, Royals’ bowling coach Shane Bond said: ‘’We are trying to educate him on the things that goes around him – try to shield him a little from the social media stuff and all the trappings that come with the way he started. He’s a lovely kid, I really like him.’’  A clutch of camerapersons hastily lined up behind the visiting team’s nets when Vaibhav took throwdowns before heading for the nets next to the main square – where he was seen defending a lot of deliveries.

 Replying to a query as to what prevented them from giving a break to Vaibhav earlier (he played in the team’s eighth game), Bond said the slot for the youngster was created due to the finger injury which forced regular captain Sanju Samson to the sidelines.

What would be the brief for Vaibhav for the remaining three matches? ‘’Look, I don’t think the coaching staff will try to complicate things too much for Vaibhav. He’s sort of got a license to go out and just play as he has done an amazing job so far for a 14-year-old. He may have missed out in the last game for us, but you don’t really panic with someone so young,’’ the New Zealander added.

 ‘’I love his steely determination and confidence in himself. I think the way he’s played so far has been spectacular. I think the boys are delighted for his success and hope it continues,’’ he added.

KKR sweat over Rahane

 In today’s game, any successful batter will have his technique dissected under scanner and Vaibhaav will be no exception. However, Rovman Powell, the Caribbean allrounder for KKR said: ‘’We have got plans for everyone, including Vaibhav.’’

 The Knights, meanwhile, having a lingering worry over the match fitness of Ajinkya Rahane – their captain and main batter. Rahane had sustained an injury on the webbing of his right hand while fielding against the Capitals and according to Powell, the team physios are working overtime to get him ready for Sunday.

Catch the match

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals

Sunday, 4 May 2025

Eden Gardens, 3.30 pm