Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has praised Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the kind of fearless batting that can turn heads even when you’re lining up against the most respected names in T20. In the IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, Sooryavanshi produced a blazing spell of batting that ultimately featured a 14-ball knock of 39.
What stood out was the way he went after an attack that included Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Shardul Thakur—bowlers who are known for their control and variety at the highest level. Gavaskar, however, singled out Sooryavanshi’s approach to Bumrah, noting that the youngster didn’t just survive the challenge; he attacked it.
Quick facts
- Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians (IPL 2026) on Tuesday
- Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15-year-old) for RR
- Innings impact: 14 balls, 39 runs
- Key highlight: Took on Jasprit Bumrah, including two sixes off Bumrah in the second over
- First-ball statement: Hit a 131 kph delivery for a six over mid-on
Speaking on JioHotstar, Gavaskar made it clear that his heart lies with Mumbai Indians. Still, he said it was hard not to enjoy what Sooryavanshi did because it was a young player—just 15—taking on what he described as the sport’s best across formats.
“It was absolutely fantastic to watch,” Gavaskar said. He added that even though he would normally be disappointed as an MI supporter, the sheer quality and age-defying confidence of the performance made it special.
Gavaskar also suggested that even some of the world’s most established batters have struggled to dismantle Bumrah in the same manner. He pointed to the early phase, saying that players with plenty of experience and strong track records haven’t been able to take apart the pacer the way Sooryavanshi did in those opening deliveries.
In his view, the shots weren’t merely lucky strikes—they looked executed with real intent. Gavaskar highlighted that Sooryavanshi’s batting wasn’t just about clearing the boundary; the ball was going into the stands, and that distinction mattered.
He explained the point with a simple comparison: sometimes a batter can top-edge a ball and see it travel for six. But in this case, Gavaskar noted that Sooryavanshi struck it cleanly, “off the middle of the bat,” which is why the hitting looked deliberate rather than accidental.
Bumrah vs the teen: the first statement
The match’s most anticipated subplot was the direct clash between Bumrah and the teen sensation. Sooryavanshi wasted little time in announcing himself, smashing a 131 kph delivery on the middle and leg for a first-ball six over mid-on.
