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Out there, under the hot lights, Rajasthan Royals nearly touched glory in IPL 2026 \u2013 only to stumble just before the last step. Still, Kumar Sangakkara stood tall, eyes full of quiet pride watching how his team fought hard, pushing all the way to Qualifier 2. Victory, though, slipped through their fingers when Gujarat Titans stepped up Friday night, chasing down the target with room to spare, winning by seven wickets and booking their spot in the final. Later, facing reporters, microphone humming, Sangakkara faced what everyone wants answered right now: \u201cCan Vaibhav Sooryavanshi handle international cricket? Is he ready for India?\u201d He paused briefly, then spoke plainly \u2013 yet left something hanging beneath the surface.<\/p>\n
Out there on the field since 2021 with Rajasthan, Sangakkara knows glimpses don\u2019t always reveal truth \u2013 a cap isn\u2019t earned by potential alone. Still, watching Sooryavanshi tear into elite bowlers this IPL shifts something inside him. Certainty stays out of reach, yet his gut leans yes. Few batters impose themselves like that without substance behind the strokeplay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you never know if anyone\u2019s ready until they play. With everything Vaibhav\u2019s shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he\u2019s more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him. And I\u2019m sure that he\u2019ll get that call-up very, very soon. He\u2019s batted with a lot of maturity. He shouldered the responsibility of that opening partnership so well for us this season,\u201d Sangakkara said.<\/p>\n
When Sangakkara spoke about shielding Vaibhav, the conversation turned to social media. Because of his age, the teen faces extra pressure. The kind that spreads fast online. So the team steps in \u2013 quietly. Not with rules, but with presence. Someone always nearby. Talking helps more than blocking ever could. Screens get handed over sometimes, just for a while. Laughter drowns out noise better than silence. They watch matches together instead. Focus shifts without force. Trust builds when no one lectures. A phone left face down speaks louder. Guidance hides in casual moments. Protection isn\u2019t armor \u2013 it\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n
Around him, we\u2019ve built something solid. Too much noise? Not in his head. Every meeting includes him \u2013 he speaks up, pays attention, takes notes like it matters. Practice feels sharp when he\u2019s there. Spotting bowler habits? One of his strengths. Video study fits into his routine without effort. Ready by kickoff is how he rolls. Batting with courage matters most here, after all. We\u2019d rather avoid adding extra pressure by suggesting too much. A calm mindset shows up best when it happens naturally, which fits perfectly with what he expressed.<\/p>\n
He finishes the IPL 2026 season wearing the Orange Cap after scoring 776 runs across 16 games. Still, Shubman Gill \u2013 with 722 \u2013 and Sai Sudharsan, close behind at 710 \u2013 could overtake the Rajasthan Royals batter. Their shot comes Sunday, during the championship match<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n