Vaibhav Suryavanshi has started IPL 2026 in flamboyant fashion, scoring 122 runs from the first three games at a strike rate of 248.97. | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Shane Bond has a son who is 17. So it is only natural for Rajasthan Royals’ fast-bowling coach to reflect on the way Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm.

The former New Zealand pacer, one of the fastest of all time, is particularly impressed by the freedom with which the teenager bats and his maturity. “It hasn’t just been reckless hitting,” Bond said. “He has seen out the good balls, picked the balls to hit.”

He said there was clear growth in Suryavanshi’s game. “And there is growth with a little bit of stubble,” Bond smiled. “He is obviously looking a little bit older than he did last year. I would never have those expectations of him at such a young age. But the way he has managed so much cricket — churning out runs, bringing energy and wanting to come to training — it is remarkable.”

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Bond said it was fun to watch Suryavanshi’s success. “The boys love it, seeing him around the group, but also watching the way he is scoring. It is something special because it is something I have never seen. I think that is what people get so excited about. They just haven’t seen anything like that before.”

The coach was also happy with his own department. “It is not only just the fast-bowling group, but the bowling group in general and the team have played really well. There is a quiet confidence about the way we are going about things.”

Published on Apr 09, 2026