Before the IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) on 28th April, just hours before delivering a memorable innings, Vaibhav Suryavanshi had a conversation with his coach. “It feels like a dream, and I have no fear,” said 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi after dismantling the Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2025 clash.
Opening for Rajasthan Royals, the young left-hander stunned everyone by blasting 101 runs off just 38 deliveries, hammering 8 fours and 11 sixes, and leading Rajasthan to a 210-run chase with 25 balls remaining. Vaibhav’s dominant batting overshadowed even Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving Indian pacers like Siraj, Krishna, and Ishant stunned.
Ishant was left puzzled after conceding 28 runs in the fourth over. No bowler, including seasoned players like Rashid Khan, could escape the onslaught. Vaibhav, bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.10 crore, got his chance after Sanju Samson’s injury.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his debut against Lucknow Super Giants and showed no fear, hitting the first ball he faced from Shardul Thakur for a six. But no one expected the incredible hitting he later showed against Gujarat Titans. His coach, Manish Ojha, watched in awe as Vaibhav thrilled the packed crowd in Jaipur.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime innings, Vaibhav has the potential, and he has shown it to the world,” Ojha told Hindustan Times, shortly after Vaibhav was adjudged as Player of the Match for his whirlwind innings.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Follows Coach’s Advice to Shine Against Gujarat Titans
Vaibhav, a native of Samastipur, Bihar, spoke to his coach on the day he faced the Gujarat Titans. Manish Ojha shared some crucial advice, and judging by Vaibhav’s performance, it’s clear he applied it brilliantly.
“Around 10-11 in the morning, we spoke. If you look at the previous few matches, Vaibhav looked a little aggressive and impulsive. So we talked about that. Actually, cricket is where you have to live in the moment. So I suggested to him ‘you take it one ball at a time and act on the merit of the ball’. You can’t play pre-plan and pre-meditate against any bowler,” said Ojha.
“If you have pre-conceived notions, you will have a different footwork and body language. So I told him to look at the ball and play on its merit, and you will get a better approach and a better result.”
A day before the match, Vaibhav’s coach urged him to concentrate on his footwork and emphasized the need to spend some time at the crease.
“I told him to vary his footwork so opponents couldn’t predict his shots. I said if he played 30–50 balls and stayed at the crease, the match would slip away from the opposition.”
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