IPL 2026: How Ashish Nehra's tactical masterstroke helped Mohammed Siraj get rid of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - WATCH

NEW DELHI: The way bowlers have started celebrating Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket says a lot about the fear the 15-year-old has already created among opposition teams in IPL 2026. The youngster has developed a reputation for tearing apart bowling attacks and destroying bowlers’ economy rates with his fearless batting. During the clash between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, the manner in which Mohammed Siraj celebrated Sooryavanshi’s wicket reflected exactly how dangerous the teenager has become.

Siraj’s outing began in the worst possible manner. Bowling his very first over of the match, he was smashed for a massive six over long-on by Sooryavanshi. Moments later, the youngster also struck the ball onto his own boot and looked in pain. After receiving treatment from the physio, Sooryavanshi quickly returned to business and resumed attacking the bowlers without hesitation.

The aggressive batter then took on Kagiso Rabada in the next over, hammering him for two huge sixes and putting Gujarat Titans under pressure early in the innings.

When Siraj returned for his second over - the third over of the innings - Sooryavanshi continued the assault. The youngster smashed three boundaries in the first four balls of the over, leaving Siraj visibly frustrated. The pacer then had a brief discussion with GT skipper Shubman Gill before changing his approach completely.

The broadcast cameras also caught Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra gesturing from the dugout moments before the dismissal, with the tactical move eventually working perfectly for Mohammed Siraj against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Nehra was seen signalling Siraj to vary his approach and use his game awareness to outthink the batter.

Siraj responded with a sharp, skiddy bouncer clocked at 146.6 kph. Sooryavanshi attempted a pull shot but only managed a leading edge, and Arshad Khan completed a superb catch safely.

After dismissing the dangerous youngster, Siraj celebrated wildly and gave an animated send-off, underlining the importance of the wicket.

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Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted a massive 229/4 after skipper Shubman Gill smashed a quickfire 84 off 44 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. Sai Sudharsan contributed 55 off 36 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and two sixes during a 118-run opening stand. Washington Sundar also played a valuable cameo, remaining unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls.

For Rajasthan Royals, Brijesh Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/47, while Yash Raj Punja and Ravindra Jadeja claimed one wicket each.