Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowling coach Shane Bond lauded the remarkable rise of teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the 15-year-old youngster’s maturity at the crease has been well beyond his age during IPL 2026.
“He’s incredible. I have a 17-year-old son, and when I compare him to Vaibhav, what he’s doing is remarkable,” Bond said ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ high-octane clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.
He further emphasised that Sooryavanshi’s impact is not just built on fearless hitting, but on smart decision-making and steady growth as a batter. “It’s not just reckless hitting. He’s picking the right balls and showing growth. There’s maturity in his batting.”
The teenage batter’s aggressive yet calculated approach has also complemented his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order. “It’s a great combination. Yashasvi is such a quality player, and Vaibhav’s tempo helps him settle in,” Bond added, while also urging patience. “He’s still a kid. We shouldn’t expect too much too soon. But the way he’s handling the workload and still performing is special.”
Beyond individual brilliance, Bond expressed satisfaction with the Royals’ strong start to the season, crediting clarity in planning and execution. “It’s been a great start. There’s always a bit of nervous energy at the beginning, especially after a tough year, but the bowling group and the team overall have done really well. There’s a quiet confidence in the way we’re going about things,” he said.
With three wins on the trot, the 50-year-old former New Zealand quick believes the positive momentum has improved communication within the squad.
“We’re still talking about how we can improve, which is a good sign when you’re three wins up. There’s healthy competition within the squad, and that’s a great place to be,” he said.
He also lauded skipper Riyan Parag for his leadership in the initial few games of the season.
“I’ve really enjoyed the way Riyan has managed the bowlers. Communication has been key, especially as a new captain. We’ve focused on getting through overs quickly so he has time to make decisions in crucial moments,” he noted.
On the tactical front, Bond highlighted the importance of simplicity. “We want clear and simple game plans. Kumar Sangakkara talks a lot about assessing conditions first, and then executing accordingly. That’s been one of our strengths so far.”
Looking ahead to the clash against RCB, Bond feels familiarity with conditions in Guwahati could prove decisive. “We’ve played on this wicket, so we understand it better. It’s different from the smaller, high-scoring grounds RCB have played on recently. We adapted quickly in the last game because we’ve trained on similar surfaces.”
“They’re unbeaten, like us. It’s a good test of where we are,” he added.
Bond also touched upon the importance of squad depth and maintaining motivation across the group. “Early in the tournament, everyone is pushing for places. But after a few games, reality sets in.”
“We’ve had individual meetings to set goals and keep them motivated. It’s not just about being ready, but having small targets and maintaining intensity in training,” he said.