“Don’t have to be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi”: Indian cricket legend’s advise for Yash – Harbhajan Singh’s Advice to Yashasvi Jaiswal Ahead of GT vs RR IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
Finding Identity Amidst the Hype
The build-up to the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals has been dominated by conversations surrounding the meteoric rise of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While social media is currently ablaze with predictions and debates about the youngster, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has shifted the spotlight toward his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, offering a critical piece of advice that could define the Royals’ campaign.
The Trap of Imitation
Before the arrival of Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal was widely regarded as the brightest young prospect in Indian cricket. While the duo is theoretically a terrifying opening pair, the reality on the field has been somewhat inconsistent. According to Harbhajan Singh, the issue lies in Jaiswal attempting to mirror the aggressive, six-hitting style of his younger counterpart rather than embracing his own unique strengths.
So far in the 2026 season, Jaiswal has compiled 426 runs across 15 innings with a strike rate of 152.23. However, Harbhajan believes Jaiswal’s recent dip in consistency stems from a fundamental change in his approach. Speaking on Star Sports, the former cricketer noted that Jaiswal has been forcing maximums instead of relying on his natural rhythm as a boundary-hitter.
Harbhajan’s Tactical Assessment
“If I am in the RR camp, I will tell him just one thing: ‘You don’t have to try and be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. You have to remain Jaiswal.’ Just be Jaiswal; he is far ahead of many players,” Harbhajan stated. He emphasized that Jaiswal possesses a unique game that few others in the circuit can replicate when firing on all cylinders.
Harbhajan further broke down the technical disparity between the two openers: “Yashasvi just needs to time the ball. He is currently trying to hit too hard, which causes his body weight to shift backwards, leading to balls going high in the air rather than finding the gaps. Sooryavanshi is a natural six-hitter, while Jaiswal is a natural four-hitter. When a four-hitter tries to force sixes, the balance is compromised. If he focuses on hitting fours, the sixes will come naturally through the flow of his timing.”
