Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara applauded Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his fearless approach and said, “It’s pure cinema” watching him bat. Pujara’s words came after Sooryavanshi smashed a 16-ball 43 on Tuesday, helping his side become the first team of the Indian Premier League 2026 to beat the Punjab Kings (PBKS) as well.
Speaking on JioHotstar, expert Cheteshwar Pujara said, “It’s pure cinema watching Vaibhav Suryavanshi bat. The way he approaches every bowler with that fearless mindset is remarkable. He simply watches the ball and backs himself to strike it. What stands out is that even when the opposition knows he’s going to attack, they still struggle to contain him. That consistency, combined with his fearless intent in the Powerplay, is what gives his team a decisive edge and sets up games like this.”
While PBKS lost the match, veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal impressed with the ball by claiming 3/36 in 4 overs, picking up the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag.
Cheteshwar Pujara also applauded Chahal for his clever use of variations, stating that his courage to keep attacking despite being hit as well.
“Yuzvendra Chahal was exceptional, especially in the way he used his variations. Even after being hit, he had the courage to keep flighting the ball, changing his pace and lines to create opportunities. His control over speed, ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, makes it difficult for batters to settle. In T20 cricket, that variation is crucial, and what stood out was his willingness to stick to his plans and attack, which made it a very impactful spell,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.
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