Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has backed Rajasthan Royals to retain Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the future, even when he doesn’t score runs in one season or the other. Jaffer reckons RR would be fools if they let Suryavanshi go.

The left-hander has impressed with his pyrotechnics and scored a fantastic knock of 97 runs off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator on Wednesday.

The young batter has already scored two IPL centuries in his short career, reaching one in 35 balls and the other in 36 balls. Sooryavanshi was just one boundary away from breaking Chris Gayle’s record of scoring the fastest IPL century off 30 balls, but he was dismissed three runs short of his hundred.

Suryavanshi is currently the Orange Cap holder, with 680 runs in 15 matches at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85.

“They will be fools if they let this guy go. In the future may be there will be a season where he does not score runs. This will happen with everyone. But he has shown the trailer of how the picture ahead will be. This guy is the future of your franchise, and you have to keep him,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

RR had roped in the services of Suryavanshi for INR 1.10 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

Jaffer hailed the prodigy batter after he scored a stunning knock against the Orange Army in the Eliminator.

“This kid is scaling new heights. We had asked if he could score consistently, and he is doing that. Breaking Gayle’s record of most sixes, this kid is doing unreal things. I am in awe. Playing such an innings in the playoffs is unbelievable. He deserves all the accolades. There is nothing left to say. SRH were favorites but his innings completely changed the game. Many have played 10 years in this league and could not do what this guy is achieving in just his second season,” Jaffer expressed.

RR will take on GT in the second qualifier.