Young cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been caught soaking in nature's beauty before turning his full attention to the upcoming domestic cricket season. Known for his explosive stroke-play on the field, the rising star was recently seen enjoying a jungle safari at the famous Bor Tiger Reserve in Wardha district, Maharashtra, even as he ramps up his red-ball preparation in Talegaon.
A Four-Hour Safari Adventure in Bor Tiger Reserve
During his retreat into nature, Vaibhav spent nearly four hours traversing the lush greenery of the Bor Tiger Reserve. Entering through the Rahati Safari Gate, the young cricketer was accompanied by several of his Rajasthan Royals teammates and technical staff, including Shubham Dubey, Sushant Mishra, Ravi Singh, coach Rajnani Prabhu, Forest Inspector Rupesh Khedkar, and other support staff members.
Throughout the safari, the group spotted a wide array of wildlife, such as leopards, bears, sambar deer, chital, and peacocks. However, Vaibhav was particularly eager to catch a glimpse of the forest's apex predator, the tiger. Reports indicate that he missed sighting a tiger by the narrowest of margins. Captivated by the natural scenery, Vaibhav shared a video clip of his jungle excursion on social media, which quickly drew widespread praise from his followers.
Intense Red-Ball Preparation at the Talegaon Academy
Stepping away from his short break in the wild, Vaibhav has shifted his focus squarely back to the cricket pitch to sharpen his technique for red-ball cricket. Interestingly, rather than heading to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, he chose to work out at the Rajasthan Royals Academy located in Talegaon, Maharashtra.
A dedicated 10-day pre-season training camp is currently underway at the Talegaon facility, where Vaibhav is practicing under the direct supervision of senior batting coach Vikram Rathour. Under Rathour's guidance, Vaibhav is focusing on building the endurance needed to play long spells and adapt his stroke play to the demands of First-Class and Test formats, departing momentarily from his customary aggressive T20 style.
Vice-Captaincy Honor for East Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026
This intensive training regimen holds immense significance as Vaibhav prepares to represent the East Zone team in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2026. In a major vote of confidence, selectors have not only selected him in the squad but have also appointed him as the vice-captain of the East Zone team. Earning a leadership role at such a young age marks a critical milestone in his burgeoning career.
With this vice-captaincy comes both elevated responsibility and a platform to prove his mettle on a larger stage. To justify the trust reposed in him by the selectors, Vaibhav has been putting in rigorous efforts during the training sessions in Talegaon.
Overcoming First-Class Record Challenges
The emphasis on red-ball training stems partly from Vaibhav's modest track record in the longer format so far. Across 10 First-Class matches played in his career, he has accumulated just 207 runs at an average of 17, with a single half-century to his name. These figures highlight the need for greater patience and tactical adaptation when facing red-ball bowling.
Consequently, Duleep Trophy 2026 presents a crucial opportunity for Vaibhav to turn his First-Class numbers around. Armed with coaching insights from Vikram Rathour and rejuvenated by his time in the forest, Vaibhav aims to construct lengthy, match-winning innings in the upcoming domestic season.
