Teammate Compares Rajasthan Royals Star To Virat Kohli For Humility
RR player praised for humility, not Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Rajasthan Royals’ young batting star Yashasvi Jaiswal received high praise from former India opener Aakash Chopra after Rajasthan’s commanding eight‑wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League 2026 match, with Chopra drawing a notable comparison to legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli for putting team success ahead of personal glory.
In the fixture played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday, Jaiswal anchored the Royals’ chase of 128 with a composed unbeaten 38 off 36 balls, while young teammate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted a quick 52 off just 17 deliveries to put the game beyond reach. While Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings drew widespread attention, Chopra was particularly impressed by Jaiswal’s mature approach under pressure.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra praised Jaiswal’s match awareness, saying the left‑hander demonstrated a rare selflessness by “keeping the ego aside” and allowing the more aggressive partner to dictate the scoring rate. He said this trait, prioritising team objectives over individual statistics, reminded him of Kohli’s famed ability to read game situations and adapt his batting accordingly.
Also Read: Jamie Overton Breaks MS Dhoni’s CSK Record as Rajasthan Royals Dominate IPL 2026 Opener
Chopra elaborated that while big hitting and flamboyant strokeplay grab headlines, cricket at its core rewards players who can assess contexts — such as slower periods in run chases — and make decisions that help secure victory. “We saw glimpses of Virat Kohli in him — one needs to look at the larger picture, keep the ego aside, and not compete with the batter at the other end,” he said.
Jaiswal’s innings also included key partnerships with skipper Riyan Parag and wicketkeeper‑batter Dhruv Jurel that steadied the chase after early jitters. The Royals completed the target in 12.1 overs, finishing with eight wickets in hand and 47 balls to spare.
The sentiment from former cricketers and commentators underscores a broader appreciation for strategic batting in the T20 format, where individual flair must often be balanced with situational awareness. For Jaiswal, the accolades deepen his growing reputation as both a talented hitter and a thoughtful team player early in the IPL 2026 season.
Also Read: RR Sign Dasun Shanaka For Rs 2 Crore as Injury Rules Sam Curran Out of IPL 2026
