Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim believes Rajasthan Royals are dependent on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s batting amid IPL 2026. Karim said RR struggles when Suryavanshi is dismissed between 40-50 runs.
Suryavanshi scored a magnificent knock of 93 runs off just 38 balls with the help of seven fours and 10 sixes in the run chase of 221 against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.
The left-hander got off to a slow start, scoring only five runs off the first 10 deliveries he faced but he was able to change gears. The southpaw scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 244.74 and thus was awarded Player of the Match.
Suryavanshi is currently the highest run getter in IPL 2026 with 539 runs in 13 matches at an average of 44.54 and a whirlwind strike rate of 236.32.
Saba Karim said on ESPN Cricinfo, “When he gets out in the 40s and 50s, even then you find RR in trouble. So, it is not only the way he scores runs, but the amount of runs he scores. Anything beyond 80-90 puts Rajasthan in a very healthy state. All the occasions where he has scored 40 or 50, the other batters have struggled. Responsibility rests quite lightly on his shoulders.”
Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu also concurred with Karim’s comments.
He said, “Yes, I think so, in chases, especially. When you want to set up a big total or chase a total like this, he’s been the key. Without him, their batting order really struggles.”
Karim hailed Suryavanshi’s ability to bat at a high strike rate and get his team in the pole position.
“If you watched the others bat, all of them batted at a strike rate of 130-140. Even Dhruv Jurel batted quite well. And there you seen Sooryavanshi notching up 93 at a strike rate of 240-odd. Where is it heading? What more is he capable of?”
Rayudu said it looks like the youngster is batting against a different opposition.
“It looks like he is playing against a different opposition altogether. Quite extraordinary.”
Rajasthan Royals will play their last league stage match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Sunday.
