Rajasthan Royals fielding coach Dishant Yagnik reaffirmed the team’s long-standing strategy of backing emerging talent, even amid injury setbacks to key players during a tough IPL 2025 season.
“We don’t buy superstars, we make superstars. That’s our tagline at Rajasthan Royals,” Yagnik said after the match against Mumbai Indians on Thursday. “In the past, many players we had weren’t stars when they joined the team—they became stars. And the players we have now, we’ll turn them into stars too.”
Emerging players step up in absence of Samson and Sandeep
With Sanju Samson and Sandeep Sharma sidelined due to injuries, the Royals have placed their faith in younger players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal—and have been rewarded with strong performances.
“Look at Vaibhav—everyone was cheering for him while he was batting against Gujarat Titans. The entire crowd was behind him,” said Yagnik. “If we continue to believe in these youngsters, they will become stars in the time to come.”
Sooryavanshi, just 14 years old, stunned fans with a century against GT, while 23-year-old Jaiswal has continued to impress at the top of the order. Riyan Parag, also 23, has been leading the side in the absence of Samson, showcasing leadership maturity well beyond his years.
Royals maintain belief despite tough season
The Royals currently sit eighth on the table with six points, but the team remains committed to its developmental ethos. Yagnik acknowledged the injury challenges but praised the squad’s resilience.
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game. When Sanju got injured this time, Vaibhav got his chance—and he made the most of it,” he said.
The Rajasthan Royals are set to face the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Sunday, as they look to climb the table in the second half of the season.
