Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan recently admitted that his theory about Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was correct. On April 10, Irfan had shared on “X” a query: Does Vaibhav intentionally target big bowlers? He believed so and called it “my theory.”
Earlier in the season, Vaibhav, just 15 years old, had impressed by hitting Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah for two sixes in five balls and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Josh Hazlewood for 19 runs in one over, including three fours and a six.
On Monday, Vaibhav was dismissed by young bowler Praful Hinge for a golden duck during Rajasthan Royals’ chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Irfan Pathan acknowledged that his theory held true after seeing Vaibhav’s dismissal.
Praful took Vaibhav out in the first over with a short ball aimed at middle and leg stump. Vaibhav attempted a pull shot but top-edged it to wicketkeeper Salil Arora. Praful ended up taking four wickets, including Vaibhav’s, for 34 runs in four overs.
Vaibhav has been one of the standout players this season. In 2025, he scored 252 runs in seven matches with a strike rate of 206.55 (one fifty and one century). This season, he continued his strong form, scoring 52 runs off 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings in the opener.
He followed that with scores of 31, 39, and 78 against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His golden duck against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a rare failure for him.
Praful, who was named Player of the Match, revealed he had planned to get Vaibhav out in the first over. He said he wanted his wicket either with a bouncer or some other way.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will next face Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad on April 18.