Sangakkara tells young Sooryavanshi to 'enjoy everything' after first-ball out

Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara has given simple advice to young player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after he was out on the first ball. This is a change from focusing only on success.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Indian Premier League |

Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara has offered a remarkably simple, unvarnished message to rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, following the 15-year-old's first-ball dismissal. The directive, conveyed as "enjoy everything" and "the less said, the better," appears aimed at tempering external expectations and allowing the young player space to learn. Sangakkara stressed that failure is an inherent part of cricket, just as success is, and that navigating these outcomes is how true progress occurs.

The young prodigy, who has impressed with his audacious and fearless batting throughout the Indian Premier League season, including a rapid 52 off 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings, faced a rare setback against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sangakkara, however, framed this "golden duck" not as a failure but as a learning opportunity. He stated that Sooryavanshi will "figure things out as he goes along," a process he believes is crucial for genuine development, transcending mere technical adjustments.

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IPL 2026: ‘Enjoy everything’- Sangakkara’s message to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after golden duck - 1

Unpacking the "Enjoy Everything" Mandate

Sangakkara’s approach to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's performance seems to advocate for a mental freedom, encouraging the young player to embrace the entirety of the cricketing experience. This includes the highs of spectacular hitting and the lows of early dismissals.

  • The coach emphasized that Sooryavanshi is "allowed to score runs, and you're allowed to fail."

  • This philosophy suggests a departure from intense scrutiny, especially given Sooryavanshi's age and meteoric rise.

  • Sangakkara pointed to Sooryavanshi's strong work ethic and clarity regarding his role within the team as foundations for his rapid ascent.

  • The advice for minimal commentary – "the less said, the better" – implies a desire to shield the player from undue pressure and external noise.

Contextualizing Sooryavanshi's Emergence

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's arrival in the IPL has been a significant talking point. His fearless approach and impressive strike rate, particularly early in the tournament, have drawn comparisons and even put him in contention for national team call-ups, with reports suggesting a potential selection for the Ireland tour. His ability to read the game and anticipate situations has also been noted. Sangakkara has previously spoken about the "impact" Sooryavanshi brings to the crease, highlighting his strength, power, and skill despite his smaller stature. The coach views these players who "figure themselves out a little bit" as those who tend to improve most rapidly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What advice did Kumar Sangakkara give to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after he was out on the first ball?
Kumar Sangakkara told the 15-year-old player to 'enjoy everything' and that 'the less said, the better.' He wants the young player to learn from the experience without too much pressure.
Q: Why did Sangakkara give this advice to Sooryavanshi?
Sangakkara believes that failure is a normal part of cricket, just like success. He wants Sooryavanshi to learn and grow from this experience, rather than feeling discouraged.
Q: What happened to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the match?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a young player for Rajasthan Royals, was dismissed on his very first ball during the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This was a rare setback for him in the tournament.
Q: How has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi performed in the IPL so far?
Before this dismissal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had impressed many with his fearless and fast batting, including scoring 52 runs off just 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings. His performance had led to talks about him potentially playing for the national team.