Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up the IPL postseason with one of the most ferocious batting displays seen in playoff cricket, firing off a stunning knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an eliminator that carried plenty of pressure. The 15-year-old made the SRH bowling unit look ordinary for long stretches, smashing 97 runs from just 29 deliveries and finishing only three runs shy of Chris Gayle’s mark for the quickest century in IPL history. With fearless shot-making and brutal ball striking, Sooryavanshi turned the contest on its head, leaving Hyderabad genuinely rattled and the wider cricket world scrambling to find words for the assault.
His innings featured 12 sixes, a tally that helped drain any suspense from the eliminator as the game slipped away within a short span of overs. The knock quickly drew admiration beyond the stands, with legends and fans alike taking notice. Sachin Tendulkar, in particular, shared praise on X, highlighting how special Sooryavanshi’s timing and movement were under duress. Tendulkar’s message wasn’t just about the runs—it focused on the technique that made the big hits possible, praising the teenager’s bat swing and his ability to clear the front foot so effectively to create space, even when deliveries were aimed at his body.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s bat swing has been outstanding. What’s even more remarkable is how beautifully he clears his front foot to create room for balls aimed at his legs. This freedom allows him to play the way he does. That innings was nothing short of spectacular!” Tendulkar wrote. Sooryavanshi, though, only learned about the post after someone brought it to his attention during a relaxed conversation with teammate Dhruv Jurel for the IPL website, with the moment described as light-hearted and natural rather than rehearsed.
When asked about receiving praise from the batting icon, Sooryavanshi said it came as a genuine surprise and described it as both a proud and deeply motivating experience. He explained that he was not even aware of the tweet until it was mentioned to him, adding that recognition from someone he regards as the “God of Cricket” carries enormous meaning. Speaking in the video on the IPL website, he said, “It feels really good, sir. It motivates me. You just told me about it; I wasn’t even aware. And of course, everyone knows he is the God of Cricket. If he has tweeted something like that, it’s a huge deal for us that a legend like him has tweeted about us. So, of course, it is a matter of pride.”
That eliminator surge is only part of Sooryavanshi’s wider rise this season. He currently tops the Orange Cap standings after delivering one of the most explosive batting campaigns the IPL has seen. Across 15 innings, the 15-year-old has amassed 680 runs, maintaining an average of 45.33 while striking at a staggering 242.85. Yet beyond the tally, it’s the rhythm of his batting—his fearless tempo, his willingness to take on bowlers early, and his consistency in accelerating when opportunities arrive—that has made him stand apart throughout the tournament.
