Zaheer Khan Cautions Vaibhav Sooryavanshi That Rivals Will Plan for Him

Zaheer Khan has warned that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will face growing scrutiny from opponents after a record-setting IPL 2026. The left-hander scored 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.31, before Rajasthan Royals went out to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.

Teams are already adapting

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Zaheer said a batter cannot score 700-plus runs in only one way for ever, and teams will eventually find answers and try different things. He said that was already happening with Sooryavanshi.

He gave examples: Gujarat tried to contain him with a mid-off, pushing him to hit over mid-on, and Sunrisers Hyderabad also set varied fields. Zaheer said such questions will keep coming and the batter must stay on top of them.

The Qualifier 2 innings

Against Gujarat, Sooryavanshi made 96 off 47 balls with eight fours and seven sixes. Wickets fell regularly at the other end, so he anchored the innings before accelerating.

Zaheer praised that. He noted that Sooryavanshi could not get going at first but still finished with a strike rate above 200, which he called phenomenal. He said the teenager has different dimensions to his game and can adjust to the situation. The key, Zaheer said, is understanding and sustaining this level, and if he does, the records and numbers will follow.