Suryavanshi, who enjoyed a breakout IPL season last year and followed it up with a successful Under-19 World Cup campaign, struck a 17-ball 52 in RR’s modest chase of 128 against Chennai Super Kings in the opener.
Rathour stressed that the left-hander’s progress has been a product of both talent and temperament.
“My thoughts are pretty consistent. He is a very, very special player. That’s what I believed last year as well. He has done really well post-IPL last year. He is still looking very good, working hard, and playing some really good cricket,” he said on the eve of his team’s clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) here.
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He also underlined the importance of the current season in Suryavanshi’s development. “It’s going to be an important season for him, but his mind is in the right space. He’s working really hard.”
Addressing how the franchise is managing expectations around the young batter, Rathour emphasised simplicity over needless tinkering. “Having loads of conversations with him. One thing that really stands out is that he is very calm. He is very relaxed. I know there’s a lot of attention on him. He’s really not under pressure. He enjoys playing, he enjoys hitting sixes. He loves his batting,” he said.
GT assistant coach Ashish Kapoor backed Jos Buttler to rediscover his best, calling the England star a “top player” who is “on the right path” after a brief lean patch. “It’s a matter of one innings,” he said, stressing Buttler’s pride and hunger to return to form.
He also praised debutant pacer Ashok Sharma as a “terrific talent,” highlighting his fearlessness despite being hit in the first match against Punjab Kings. “He wanted the ball at any stage – that’s what matters,” Ashish noted. On team balance, he said the current XI is “more or less” the ideal combination, with only minor tweaks likely if results don’t go the team’s way.
Published on Apr 03, 2026
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