For Ravindra Jadeja, the moniker Rockstar is more than just a fun label. It is associated with one of the most important phases of his career.
The nickname was given to Jadeja by the late Shane Warne during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 when the young all-rounder was just starting out with Rajasthan Royals. Warne supported Jadeja in a dressing room full of big names and played a major role in shaping his early journey in the game.
Now, years later, Jadeja believes Rajasthan Royals have another player worthy of the tag in Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Speaking to Star Sports, Jadeja said Vaibhav stood out among the young players in the team both for his talent and temperament.
“The team has a lot of talented youngsters but Vaibhav really stood out for me. The way he batted, his maturity and his mindset was really impressive,” Jadeja said.
“He seems to have a clear idea of how to move his game forward, how to back strike and how to handle quality pitchers.”
Jadeja said what impressed him the most was Vaibhav’s calm demeanor under pressure.
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“What makes him stand out even more is how calm he is. I have never seen him look nervous or under pressure. He remains composed, which is a great quality at such a young age. If I had to call anyone the ‘rock star’ of the team, it would definitely be Vaibhav Suryavanshi,” he added.
Praise has another meaning because Jadeja’s own association with the nickname.
As a teenager at Rajasthan Royals, Jadeja was taken under Warne’s wing. The Australian legend believed in his talent and he felt at home in a star-studded team. Their bond continued even after Jadeja moved on, with Warne continuing to provide support and guidance over the years.
Jadeja has often spoken about how important this support was in helping him grow as a cricketer.
Therefore, it seems to me more than just a compliment to Vaibhav.
In many ways, it feels like a passing of the torch, from the player Shane Warne once named a Rockstar to the youngster Jadeja now believes has the talent, confidence and composure to carry that legacy forward.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
09 May 2026 17:32 IST
