Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan came out strongly in support of Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after Gujarat Titans bowlers repeatedly targeted the 15-year-old with body-line bowling during the high-pressure IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash.
Despite the aggressive short-ball tactics aimed at unsettling him, the teenage batting sensation once again produced a sensational innings, smashing a breathtaking 96 off just 47 deliveries and helping RR post a huge total in the knockout clash.
The youngster displayed remarkable composure and fearless intent even while facing hostile bowling plans from the GT pacers.
Irfan Pathan slams GT’s bowling approach against Sooryavanshi
After witnessing the repeated body-line bowling directed towards the teenager, Irfan Pathan openly criticised Gujarat Titans’ approach on social media.
The former India cricketer admitted that while he understands Sooryavanshi is competing at the highest level against experienced professionals, the father in him was not comfortable watching a 15-year-old being targeted in that fashion.
"Body line bowling to stop 15 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn’t fit well with me.
I know he is playing against the big boys but the father in me doesn’t agree with that," Pathan wrote on X.
Despite the pressure tactics, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to dominate the bowlers with his fearless strokeplay and nearly scored his second consecutive century in the playoffs.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks Andre Russell’s legendary IPL record despite missing another century
The youngster eventually got dismissed on 96 while attempting an upper cut towards third man, heartbreakingly missing out on another hundred.
However, during the innings, he still managed to script history by becoming the fastest batter in IPL history to complete 1000 runs in terms of balls faced.
RR post huge total while GT begin chase strongly
Earlier in the match, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag won the toss and elected to bat first. While Yashasvi Jaiswal once again failed to convert his start, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi anchored the innings brilliantly and completely shifted the momentum towards RR.
Apart from the youngster’s explosive knock, Ravindra Jadeja contributed 45 off 35 balls while Donovan Ferreira provided a late flourish with a quickfire 38 off just 11 deliveries.RR eventually posted a massive total of 214 runs in the all-important Qualifier 2 clash.
However, GT have started the chase confidently and are currently cruising without losing a wicket. Openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have stitched together a solid 79-run partnership in just seven overs.
Gill is unbeaten on 36 off 24 balls while Sudharsan is batting aggressively on 35 off 19 deliveries as GT continue to push hard for a place in the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.