Ashish Nehra’s Coaching Masterclass Led to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Dismissal in High-Pressure IPL Game

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s dismissals have triggered losses for RR, as the team repeatedly fails to recover once their star batter is out.

Ashish Nehra’s Coaching Masterclass Led to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Dismissal in High-Pressure IPL Game

Ashish Nehra signaled to Mohammed Siraj, before the latter took Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wicket. (via X)

In Short
  • Ashish Nehra's tactical adjustments led to the dismissal of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during a crucial IPL match.
  • Mohammed Siraj executed a bouncer that resulted in Sooryavanshi's wicket, impacting Rajasthan Royals' momentum.
  • Siraj's aggressive celebration after the wicket may lead to potential sanctions from the IPL.

During a crucial IPL 2026 match between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was hitting destructively. However, Mohammed Siraj was able to remove the 15-year-old, thanks to a strategic maneuver and quick adjustment by GT head coach Ashish Nehra.

GT, playing against RR at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, put up a first innings total of 229/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of fifties from Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. However, for a while, it seemed that the Royals could make a match, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as their leader. Notably, it was against GT at the same venue in IPL 2025 that the left-hander announced his arrival with a 35-ball hundred.

A year later, Sooryavanshi started his innings aggressively once more. Continuing his pattern of attacking veteran IPL pacers, he began by hitting a six off the very first delivery he faced off GT’s Mohammed Siraj. He then took the attack on Kagiso Rabada, whom he dispatched for two consecutive maximums, before striking three boundaries off Siraj in the 3rd over. The onslaught propelled RR to 38 runs off the first 16 balls, providing them with a good start.

Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra then took matters into his own hands. The former India pacer plotted a tactical shift that ultimately saw Siraj get the better of Sooryavanshi. Just before the fifth ball of the 3rd over, which had already gone for 12 runs, Nehra was seen frantically gesturing towards Siraj from the sidelines, pointing to his head to communicate to the fast bowler that he needed to change his approach and use his awareness. 

The 32-year-old also had a brief chat with Shubman Gill before doing what his coach had instructed him to. Siraj bowled a sharp, skiddy bouncer, clocked at 146.6 kmph. The combination of pace and bounce rushed the opener into attempting a pull shot, which resulted in a thick top edge. Arshad Khan, fielding at short fine leg, safely secured the catch. Siraj marked the 15-year-old’s dismissal with an intense celebration, highlighting the nature of the contest.

Sooryavanshi’s dismissal hurt the RR’s momentum, which worsened when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed by Rabada in the following over. Despite contributions from Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja, the Royals were eventually bowled out for 152, resulting in a 77-run defeat.

RELATED
Sanju Samson Also in Contention to Become India’s Next T20I Captain After Historic World Cup Outing

Aggressive send-off to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi puts Mohammed Siraj at risk of IPL sanctions

Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj could face sanctions for having celebrated aggressively after claiming Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket during a high-stakes clash against the Rajasthan Royals. Siraj claimed the 15-year-old’s wicket in the third over of RR’s run chase. 

Mohammed Siraj demerit Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wicket
Mohammed Siraj could be fined for his aggressive celebration after taking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket. (via X)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 440 runs in IPL 2026, giving RR fiery starts throughout the season. It has made the 15-year-old’s wicket a ‘prized’ one, given he has been a key factor behind five out of RR’s six wins so far. Bowlers have at times even crossed the line against the left-hander. Delhi Capitals’ pacer Kyle Jamieson was the first one to be fined by the BCCI for his ‘clapping’ celebration and ‘stare-down’. 

Jamieson was handed a demerit point after being found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct. During RR vs. GT, Mohammed Siraj also celebrated Sooryavanshi’s wicket with an intense, angry roar, directed towards the youngster, which many thought was unprofessional. As a result, his actions are subject to review, and he could potentially face a fine, a percentage of his match fee, and a demerit point.

Siraj, despite getting Sooryavanshi’s wicket, finished with figures of 1/55 in his four-over spell against RR, conceding runs at an economy of 13.7. In IPL 2026, the 32-year-old pacer has picked up 15 scalps in 11 matches at an average of 29.25.

Read More: