Jaipur: Riyan Parag has offered valuable advice to teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he prepares for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season.

The 14-year-old batting sensation is expected to be one of the biggest attractions this year after a sensational debut season with Rajasthan Royals.

A meteoric rise at just 14

Sooryavanshi grabbed national attention when Rajasthan Royals invested ₹1.1 crore in him ahead of the 2025 season. The youngster justified the hype with 252 runs in seven matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of over 200.

He was drafted into the playing XI as a replacement for injured Sanju Samson and quickly became a fan favourite with his fearless strokeplay.

One of his standout moments came against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed a record-breaking century in just 35 balls — becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat in IPL history.

Heroics continue in Under-19 cricket

The youngster’s purple patch extended beyond the IPL. Representing India in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, Sooryavanshi played a match-winning knock in the final.

He hammered 175 runs off just 80 balls against England, leading India to a dominant 100-run victory and underlining his immense potential on the global stage.

Parag’s advice: stay simple, avoid pressure

With expectations soaring, Parag acknowledged the pressure that comes with early success but urged the youngster to keep things simple.

“There will be hype and pressure naturally this year. But as a captain, I’ll tell him to let Yashasvi Jaiswal take that pressure. He’s more than capable of handling it,” Parag said.

He emphasised that Sooryavanshi’s role should remain straightforward — play freely and express himself.

“For him, the role is very simple: just go out there, hit, and don’t worry about anything else,” he added.

Shielding a young talent from spotlight

Parag also stressed the importance of protecting the teenager from excessive media attention.

“As a captain, I’ll try to keep him away from too much media interaction. Let him enjoy the game and play naturally,” he said.

The approach reflects Rajasthan Royals’ intent to nurture the young star carefully rather than burden him with expectations too early.

Conclusion: balancing hype with development

As IPL 2026 approaches, Sooryavanshi stands at the centre of massive excitement. However, Parag’s measured guidance highlights the importance of balancing hype with long-term development.

If managed well, the young left-hander could continue his remarkable rise and emerge as one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket.