The upcoming edition of the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/watch-stalwart-batsman-virat-kohli-gears-up-to-defend-rcb-title-ahead-of-ipl-2026-23621800" rel="nofollow">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only first 20 matches has been released due to state elections.
Ahead of the cash-rich league, former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that teams may plan certain things against Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
"It is possible that this season, teams may plan against him, like bowling consistently outside the off stump and keeping the ball away from his reach. He will need to counter that, even if it comes with the risk of getting out," he said.
He also said that the youngster may face difficulties similar to what <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-anil-kumble-expects-abhishek-sharma-to-show-greater-maturity-this-season-23621635" rel="nofollow">Abhishek Sharma</a> faced in the concluded T20 World Cup 2026.
"Also, he might face the same challenges that Abhishek Sharma did (in the T20 World Cup this year), different types of bowling and constant variations in pace, so how he adapts and finds ways to score in those situations will be key," said Irfan.
On the other hand, former cricketer <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-aakash-chopra-explains-jasprit-bumrah-crucial-role-for-mumbai-indians-23621092" rel="nofollow">Aakash Chopra</a> also warned Sooryavanshi, saying that if he doesn't connect his first ball properly, problems might start for him.
"If the first one is there to be hit, I will go for it' is a very good philosophy. But if it happens three times that you go for the first ball and, God forbid, you don't connect properly and get out, that is when problems start," he said.
"The IPL is a different beast. They may not say it in as many words, but it reminds me of my playing days in England, where if you have one or two off days back-to-back, someone would come up and say, 'Bro, time to earn your money,' because you are being paid to score runs. That thought lingers on your mind, that you are getting paid to perform, and the IPL has a similar dynamic," added Chopra.
<h2>IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings: Match's date and venue</h2>
RR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign by playing a clash against <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-anil-kumble-labels-sanju-samson-inclusion-as-great-move-for-chennai-super-kings-23621287" rel="nofollow">Chennai Super Kings</a> (CSK) on March 30 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
(With ANI Inputs)

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