“I’ll Hit It”: Sanju Samson Reveals Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Fearless Exchange With Rahul Dravid
During the recent BCCI Naman Awards, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson shared an inside story about 13-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and his pre-debut conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid.
Samson detailed a meeting called by Dravid to prepare the teenager for his first match in the Indian Premier League. Expecting a cautious approach from the youngest player in tournament history, the team management asked Sooryavanshi about his game plan.
The Pre-Match Meeting
According to Samson, Dravid brought the young batter into the room to discuss match strategy. The interaction highlighted the teenager’s unapologetic confidence.
“Rahul Sir called him into the room and told me, ‘Sanju, we need to talk to him. He’s a very young kid; we have to explain how to go about it,'” Samson recalled at the ceremony. “So Rahul Sir asked him, ‘Vaibhav, what’s the plan?’ Vaibhav replied, ‘Kuch nahi Sir, hum to khelenge’ (Nothing special, Sir. I’ll just play).”
When Dravid pressed for specific tactical details, Sooryavanshi responded: “Agar hume pehla ball mila to hum pehla hi uda denge” (If the first ball is in my zone, I’ll hit it in the air). Samson added that the youngster executed exactly that plan, describing him as a player operating like he is “playing a video game of his own.”
IPL Debut and Record-Breaking Auction
Sooryavanshi made history when Rajasthan Royals secured him for Rs 1.10 crore during the mega auction, making him the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract. His debut against the Lucknow Super Giants validated the franchise’s investment.
Facing veteran India bowler Shardul Thakur on his first career delivery, Sooryavanshi hit a six, directly backing up his confident statements to the coaching staff.
Player Profile: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Rajasthan Royals |
| Auction Price | Rs 1.10 Crore |
| Role | Batter |
| Debut Opponent | Lucknow Super Giants |
Focus on the Trophy
Speaking at the same awards ceremony as the 2026 season approaches, Sooryavanshi outlined his primary objective for the upcoming campaign. He prioritized collective team success over individual milestones.
“The goal is to win the trophy for the team this season. If we win the trophy, it benefits the entire franchise as well as my own performance,” Sooryavanshi stated. “My aim is to contribute as much as I can to help the team lift the trophy.”