Mumbai: Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has suggested that young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal should consider leaving Rajasthan Royals to step out of the growing shadow of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of the standout performers of IPL 2026.

Rayudu made the remarks during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo after Rajasthan Royals’ Eliminator victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where Sooryavanshi once again stole the spotlight with a blistering innings.

According to Rayudu, Jaiswal risks being consistently overshadowed by Sooryavanshi’s explosive performances and may benefit from moving to another franchise where he can establish himself as the primary match-winner.

Sooryavanshi dominates Royals campaign

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 season and currently holds the Orange Cap after scoring 680 runs for Rajasthan Royals.

The young batter has emerged as the franchise’s biggest star this season with his fearless batting and consistent performances at the top of the order.

In contrast, Yashasvi Jaiswal has had a comparatively inconsistent campaign despite remaining one of Rajasthan Royals’ senior batters.

Jaiswal has scored 426 runs in 15 matches this season and also captained the side on two occasions. However, several of his innings have come under scrutiny due to slow strike rates and inability to convert starts into match-winning knocks.

Even during the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jaiswal struggled for fluency, scoring 29 runs from 29 deliveries, while Sooryavanshi smashed 97 runs off the same number of balls and dominated the contest.

The contrast in performances further intensified discussions around Rajasthan Royals’ batting hierarchy and Jaiswal’s role within the team.

Rayudu says Jaiswal needs his own space

Speaking during the analysis show, Ambati Rayudu stated that Jaiswal is a star player in his own right and requires an environment where he can perform without constantly being compared to Sooryavanshi.

“He needs to change his team. Because he cannot just bat with the guy and be overshadowed every single time. He’s a star in his own right. If he goes to another team, he will win matches on his own. He needs that space and that platform,” Rayudu said.

The former Chennai Super Kings batter further suggested that Sooryavanshi’s dominant presence could continue to overshadow teammates unless paired with a more experienced senior player who would not feel pressured by comparisons.

“Because this guy will keep overshadowing people, it has to be a senior partner alongside him who can deal with it and be happy for him and not compete with the non-striker,” he added.

Rayudu’s comments quickly sparked debate among cricket fans and analysts regarding Rajasthan Royals’ future team combination and Jaiswal’s long-term role in the franchise.

Mumbai Indians suggested as possible destination

When asked which franchise would suit Jaiswal if he eventually entered the auction pool, Rayudu suggested Mumbai Indians as a strong option for the Indian opener.

“Mumbai Indians is a good team for Jaiswal,” Rayudu said.

Cricket experts believe Mumbai Indians could indeed emerge as a potential destination for Jaiswal considering the franchise may soon begin planning for a long-term opening combination beyond Rohit Sharma.

Rohit, one of Mumbai Indians’ most successful players, is approaching the latter stages of his IPL career, and Jaiswal’s aggressive batting style could fit well into the franchise’s future plans.

Jaiswal remains key India prospect

Despite an inconsistent IPL season, Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to be regarded as one of India’s brightest batting talents across formats.

Since joining Rajasthan Royals in 2020, Jaiswal has played 82 matches and scored 2,592 runs for the franchise, establishing himself as one of the most promising young openers in Indian cricket.

His performances over the last few years have also helped him become a regular part of India’s national setup.

However, the emergence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Rajasthan Royals’ new batting superstar has added a fresh dimension to the team’s dynamics and generated questions regarding how both players can coexist effectively at the top of the order.

Royals face important decisions

Rajasthan Royals management may now face significant strategic decisions regarding team balance and leadership ahead of future IPL seasons.

While Sooryavanshi’s rise has given the franchise a major match-winner, retaining confidence and consistency among established players like Jaiswal will also remain crucial.

For now, both players continue to be central figures in Rajasthan Royals’ plans, but Rayudu’s remarks have added further intrigue to discussions surrounding the franchise’s future direction.