Sanjay Bangar on Vaibhav: Rajasthan Royals stayed firmly in the race for the TATA IPL playoffs with a crucial seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in their final home game. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar experts Sanjay Bangar, Irfan Pathan, and Mohammad Kaif shared their thoughts on ‘fearless prodigy’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s match-winning knock, RR’s final league-stage game against MI, and looked ahead to the KKR vs MI fixture.
Sanjay Bangar on Vaibhav
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar heaped praise ‘fearless prodigy’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his match-winning knock:
“Can’t really explain it; words are not sufficient. They can’t do justice to the kind of ability this young boy, this young prodigy, possesses. Some of those shots were extraordinary, to say the least. To hit over the cover boundary on a consistent basis, against pace, against spin, and whenever the ball was dug in short, was exceptional.”
“And mind you, there were so many bowlers in this Lucknow Super Giants line-up bowling in excess of 145 kph, but that didn’t really bother this kid. He put on a masterclass, a sensational Vaibhav Sooryavanshi innings indeed. Terrific to watch, great entertainment. And he is definitely going to draw crowds wherever he goes and wherever he plays.”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Irfan Pathan reckoned that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with 53 sixes in TATA IPL 2026, can break Chris Gayle’s record.
“This was unbelievable. The maturity he showed was the highlight for me. We always say, whenever we watch Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, that he’s a very good leg-side player. The way he played on the off-side in this game was outstanding. He has great control over his back-lift. He was playing over covers and even played an upper-cut over third man. It is very difficult to stop him.”
“In his first 10 balls, he was batting at a strike rate of less than 100, and by the end of the innings, he had scored 93 runs off just 38 balls. With 53 sixes, he is actually going after Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes, which has stood since 2012. As bowlers, we were always scared of facing Chris Gayle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is creating that same fear, and Gayle’s record is definitely in danger.”
On RR’s final league stage game against MI.
“I still think they should have played much better cricket, especially during the middle phase of the tournament, which they didn’t. But right now, after this win, they still have everything in their own hands. The next game at the Wankhede is going to be a tough one, especially from a bowling perspective. How they come up with their bowling plans will be very important.”
“But RR are at least keeping themselves in contention, especially with the kind of batting line-up they have. What’s happening with Ravindra Jadeja? His experience will be invaluable, and at the same time, Riyan Parag’s batting will be key as well. I’ll be keeping an eye on these two factors because if both of them come back in, RR will be in a much better position to win that game too.”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Mohammad Kaif looked ahead to the KKR vs MI ‘Race to Playoffs’ game, which will be a must-win for the hosts:
“If KKR put up a big score on the board, I think they can win. They have Sunil Narine’s four overs in the middle to bank on, and he has been in tremendous form. KKR defeated an in-form Gujarat Titans side that had won five games in a row, so I think KKR have a chance. They have Narine, Anukul Roy, and we still don’t know if Varun will play or not.”
“Kartik Tyagi has also been in good form, so I feel KKR are in a much better space. For Mumbai, Bumrah, who captained the side in the last game, hasn’t been in great form. He hasn’t taken many wickets this year, but he would want to end the tournament on a high. So, if he gets Finn Allen early, it will be a great contest.”
Also Read: Ishan Kishan’s Match-Winning 70 Powers SRH Into IPL 2026 Playoffs
