“Father in me doesn’t…”: Pathan calls out GT for short-pitch bowling ploy agai – Irfan Pathan Criticizes GT’s Short-Pitch Tactics Against 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Clash of Generations: Qualifier 2 Sparks Intense Ethical Debate

The IPL 2026 Second Qualifier between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Friday night delivered high-octane drama, exceptional batting displays, and a spot in the grand finale. However, the most talked-about moment from the contest had less to do with the final scorecard and more to do with an intense, physical battle on the pitch. The tactical decision by the Gujarat Titans pacers to deploy aggressive ‘bodyline’ and short-pitched bowling against Rajasthan’s 15-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has sparked a massive debate across the cricketing world, drawing sharp criticism from former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan.

‘The Father in Me Doesn’t Agree’: Irfan Pathan Speaks Out

Taking to his official account on X (formerly Twitter), Irfan Pathan did not hold back his emotions regarding the tactics used by the GT bowling attack. Pathan, a veteran of many fierce international battles and now a father himself, felt that the aggressive physical targeting of a minor crossed a line of sporting decency. He voiced his discomfort directly, highlighting the internal conflict of watching a young teenager face hostile, potentially dangerous bowling from seasoned international fast bowlers.

Pathan wrote on social media: “Body line bowling to stop 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn’t fit well with me. I know he is playing against the big boys, but the father in me doesn’t agree with that.” His comments immediately ignited a fierce discussion among fans and pundits alike, debating whether professional sport should make allowances for age or if elite competition demands a uniform level of ruthlessness.

A Hostile Spell: Rabada and Siraj Test the Teenager

The controversy unfolded during the first innings of the crucial knockout match. As the young left-handed opener from Bihar began to settle at the crease, the Gujarat Titans pacers decided to test his resolve with high-velocity short-pitched deliveries. South African speedster Kagiso Rabada delivered a sharp, rising bouncer that struck the 15-year-old prodigy flush on his helmet. The impact was significant enough to halt play immediately, bringing out the Rajasthan Royals medical team and the tournament physio to conduct mandatory on-field concussion checks.

Even after the scary blow, there was no respite for the youngster. Indian premier fast bowler Mohammed Siraj continued the aggressive barrage, directing several high-intensity short deliveries straight at Sooryavanshi’s body. While short-pitch bowling is a legitimate and widely accepted tactical tool in modern cricket to restrict scoring and unsettle batters, the sight of world-class, adult athletes repeatedly targeting a 15-year-old’s body left a bitter taste in the mouths of many observers, including Pathan.

A Courageous Masterclass: Sooryavanshi Answers with the Bat

Despite the physical intimidation, the scary helmet blow, and the immense pressure of a virtual semi-final, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi responded in the best way possible: with sheer cricketing genius. Showing maturity and resilience far beyond his years, the young prodigy dismantled the Gujarat bowling line-up. He went on to play a sensational knock of 96 runs off just 47 deliveries, coming agonizingly close to what would have been a historic century.

His counter-attacking masterclass laid a solid foundation for the Rajasthan Royals, helping them post a formidable total of 214 runs on the scoreboard. With this incredible innings, Sooryavanshi took his tournament tally to a staggering 776 runs for the season, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in global cricket and strengthening his case for a potential call-up to the senior Indian national team.

Gujarat Titans Clinch a Thrilling Chase to Reach the Final

While Sooryavanshi’s heroic knock put Rajasthan Royals in a strong position, the Gujarat Titans showed their championship pedigree in the second half of the match. Led by a masterclass century from their captain Shubman Gill and another crucial half-century from the consistent Sai Sudharsan, GT chased down the challenging target of 215 with remarkable composure. The Titans secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory with eight balls to spare, booking their place in the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.

Riyan Parag Hails the Young Prodigy’s Calculated Brilliance

Despite the disappointing defeat for Rajasthan Royals, teammate Riyan Parag had nothing but glowing words of praise for his young opening partner. Speaking after the game, the 24-year-old Parag emphasized that Sooryavanshi’s incredible success is not a fluke or a result of mere slogging, but rather a product of deep tactical understanding and sharp situational awareness.

“Cannot put into words, the way he bats, it’s not slogging,” Parag said in his post-match interview. “He is always calculating and assessing the situation when he goes into bat and does everything well. Hopefully, he continues to do that and plays for India and also keeps playing for RR and wins us the second title.”

As the dust settles on a thrilling Qualifier 2, the debate over GT’s bowling tactics will undoubtedly continue. However, the true story of the night remains the extraordinary courage of a 15-year-old boy who stood tall against some of the fastest bowlers in the world, proving that he belongs on the grandest stage of them all.