In a dramatic turn of events at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the cricketing world witnessed a stark contrast in fortunes for Rajasthan Royals’ prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, during their IPL 2025 encounter against Mumbai Indians on Thursday. The 14-year-old from Samastipur, Bihar, who had set the tournament alight with a jaw-dropping 101 off 28 balls against Gujarat Titans in the previous match, endured a heartbreaking setback as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck.
The young batter, brimming with confidence after his record-breaking heroics, attempted an aggressive shot off a full-length delivery from Mumbai Indians’ pacer Deepak Chahar. However, fortune did not favor the brave today as Vaibhav mistimed his stroke, lobbing a simple catch to Will Jacks at mid-on. A hush fell over the stadium, with fans and teammates alike stunned by the early dismissal of their teenage sensation.
In the dugout, Rajasthan Royals’ head coach Rahul Dravid, often dubbed the ‘Wall’ of Indian cricket, couldn’t mask his disappointment. Having been spotted celebrating Vaibhav’s century last match with unbridled joy, Dravid’s dejected expression painted a picture of heartbreak as he watched his young protégé walk back to the pavilion. Sources close to the team revealed that Dravid has been personally mentoring Vaibhav, seeing in him the potential to be a future cornerstone of Indian cricket.
While Rajasthan Royals grappled with the early blow, Mumbai Indians seized the initiative under the favorable batting conditions. Their openers, Rohit Sharma (53 off 36 balls) and Ryan Rickelton (61 off 38 balls), unleashed a relentless assault, stitching together a commanding 116-run partnership. Rohit, with his trademark elegance, dominated the spinners, particularly targeting Maheesh Theekshana, while Rickelton showcased his prowess against pace with pinpoint accuracy.
Building on this fiery start, Suryakumar Yadav and captain Hardik Pandya added further firepower to Mumbai’s innings. Both remained unbeaten on explosive scores of 48 off 23 balls each, propelling their team to a mammoth total of 217 for two after being asked to bat first. Their blistering knocks, peppered with innovative shots and brute force, left the Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack reeling.
As the dust settles on this high-octane clash, questions linger over Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s form. Can the teenage sensation bounce back from this setback, or will the pressure of expectations weigh him down? For now, Rahul Dravid and the Royals’ camp will hope this is merely a blip in what promises to be a glittering career. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have sent a strong message to the IPL fraternity: they are a force to be reckoned with in the race for the 2025 title.