NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer has lavished rich praise on Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a “spectacular talent” and tipping him as “one for the future” after his explosive run in IPL 2026.Sooryavanshi has been one of the standout performers this season, amassing 246 runs in six innings at a staggering strike-rate of over 236, turning heads with his fearless approach at the top.“He is a spectacular talent, and all the adjectives would be pretty less for him,” Iyer said. “The way he has that bat flow, the rhythm and momentum he creates before the delivery — I think he is one for the future.”‘Be yourself’: Iyer’s mantra for fearless battingIyer, who has himself been in fine touch with 208 runs this season, underlined the importance of self-belief and individuality in modern T20 cricket — a philosophy he believes aligns perfectly with Sooryavanshi’s game.“Whenever I speak to players, my only message is: just be yourself. Don’t try to emulate or mimic anyone,” he said. “When you are fearless and flamboyant in your own way, you don’t have to copy anyone.”The Punjab captain credited this mindset for the success of his own openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, both of whom have crossed 200 runs this season.“When you tell these guys they are match-winners, it instils confidence in them. They can just go out there and play freely,” he added.Reflecting on his own batting, Iyer recalled a standout moment against Jasprit Bumrah, where instinct took over. “It was completely instinctive. When you are facing probably the best bowler in the world, you have to back your instincts,” he said, emphasising clarity of thought and emotional control in high-pressure situations.While Iyer remains focused on guiding Punjab Kings to their maiden title, his admiration for Sooryavanshi highlights a broader shift in the league — where young, fearless batters are redefining the tempo of the game.
