Justin Langer had nothing but admiration for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the 15-year-old delivered yet another electrifying display for Rajasthan Royals in their high-stakes IPL 2026 meeting with Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday, May 19. The former Australia opener described it as a “privilege” to watch the teenager bat, insisting his fearless, attacking approach has unsettled even the best bowling attacks in the tournament.
Rajasthan Royals kept their qualification chances very much alive with a dominant seven-wicket victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. They successfully chased down a daunting target of 221, turning the match in their favour with a chase built around Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings.
Sooryavanshi’s contribution was the defining moment of the run chase. He hammered 93 runs off only 38 balls, striking at 244.74. His innings featured seven fours and 10 sixes, a barrage that completely altered the tempo of the contest and stunned bowlers throughout the innings.
That blistering knock carried an additional landmark. With his 10 maximums, Sooryavanshi became the first Indian batter in IPL history to reach 50 sixes in a single season.
Once Sooryavanshi was dismissed, the Royals did not lose momentum. Dhruv Jurel stepped in to steady the chase, finishing unbeaten on 53 from 38 deliveries. With the required finishing touches needed, Donovan Ferreira struck on the first ball of the final over, sending the ball for a six over long-on to seal the win in style.
Langer’s reaction to Sooryavanshi’s special batting
After the match, Langer said he rarely encounters anything comparable to what Sooryavanshi has been doing, not only in this game but across the series. He also pointed to how the youngster has consistently produced at a high level, speaking of the sheer impact and control he shows for someone so young.
“We’ve seen it all season — he’s the leading run scorer. In my 35 years in cricket, I’ve watched some outstanding players. But to see a young man bat like that, not just tonight but across the series, is breathtaking,” Langer said.
The former opener also highlighted how even elite pace operators appeared rattled earlier this season when bowling to the Rajasthan Royals prodigy. He recalled moments involving Mitchell Starc and Anrich Nortje, describing the look on their faces as an indication of how difficult the batter has become to confront.
“I think the last game, Mitchell Starc — one of the greats in white-ball cricket — he’s bowling and look at the expression on his face,” Langer said. “And Nortje, who’s a world-class international bowler, and Sooryavanshi is hitting him. The expression on their faces is like, ‘What is happening here?’ The scary part ahead is this: if the faces of Mitch Starc and Nortje and every bowler tell a story right now, what happens when he learns how to bat even further? He’s so young. So, yes, he’s a brilliant, brilliant player. And it’s a real privilege to watch him bat, actually.”
Why Langer expects Sooryavanshi to grow across formats
Langer backed Sooryavanshi’s long-term prospects across different conditions and formats. He argued that true greats always find a way to adjust, and suggested the teenager’s ability to adapt is already a key part of his appeal.
“People always ask whether great players from different eras would adapt. The answer is yes, because truly great players always find a way. Sooryavanshi is that good. Wherever he plays, he’ll adapt because honestly — where are teams going to bowl to him?” Langer concluded.
