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Rajasthan Royals (RR) hard-hitting opening batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi limped off the field early during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) run chase. Sooryavanshi was clutching his hamstring after the last ball of the third over. The physio and another team member helped him off the ground and he did not return for the rest of the run chase. As his blazing ton went in vain with SRH chasing down 229 in the penultimate over, RR coach Vikram Rathour provided an update on his injury in the post-match press conference.
"He was feeling something in his hamstring but now he's looking okay. They've treated him, so he's looking fine. We'll know in a day or so but doesn't look like anything serious,” Rathour told the reporters.
Like Sooryavanshi, his former Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre had limped off the field as well. While Mhatre was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, Sooryavanshi’s injury doesn’t look that threatening. However, it is yet to be seen whether he will regain full fitness as Royals don’t have too many days off before they go up against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 28 away from home.
Who can open if Sooryavanshi isn’t fit for PBKS clash?
If Sooryavanshi isn’t fit to even play as an impact player, it will be a huge blow to Royals for the PBKS game. PBKS have been unbeaten in the tournament so far and topping the table with six wins. Before the RR-SRH clash, PBKS chased down the highest total in IPL history against Delhi Capitals (DC).
In Sooryavanshi’s absence, RR have a couple of options. They can bring in Lhuan-dre Pretorius as opener. It would lead to Shimron Hetmyer sitting out. Also, they can hand debut cap to Aman Rao Perala.
Earlier this year, the young Hyderabad opener had smashed a double century from 154 balls against a power-packed Bengal pace attack in Vijay Hazare Trophy clash. The 21-year-old has played 11 T20s and scored 301 runs at an average of 33.44 and strike rate of 162.70, featuring two fifties. Also, his inclusion also gives RR an option of replacing an inconsistent Hetmyer with Dasun Shanaka to bolster their middle order.
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