Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to turn heads with a batting approach that looks fearless—and, in Wednesday’s encounter, it left Pat Cummins searching for answers. The 15-year-old’s ability to hit through pressure, make quick adjustments and keep swinging with intent has become a defining feature of his IPL so far, even as he takes on some of the most respected bowlers in the tournament.
Teenage mindset: “watch the ball, not the bowler”
Dhruv Jurel, Sooryavanshi’s Rajasthan Royals teammate, said the right-hander’s confidence comes from how he prepares rather than from who he faces. Jurel noted that Sooryavanshi doesn’t overthink matchups, and believes in his own execution after practising a lot.
- Jurel highlighted that Sooryavanshi “doesn’t plan anything” and simply backs himself every time he goes out to bat.
- He described a mentality with no visible doubt—an attitude that, in Jurel’s words, reflects a refusal to let uncertainty creep in.
- Jurel also pointed to a training lesson that shaped Sooryavanshi’s outlook: academy advice that players should watch the ball rather than get distracted by the bowler.
- He explained that many young batters initially focus on big names, but Sooryavanshi’s focus stays on the delivery itself.
- Jurel summed up the core of the approach as a mantra of not caring about the identity of the bowler.
Wednesday fireworks vs Cummins
Sooryavanshi’s latest statement came against Cummins, a multi-time World Cup winner and widely regarded as one of the sharper operators in T20 cricket. Instead of being forced into a defensive rhythm, the youngster produced a barrage of sixes that made the Australian look out of ideas.
While Cummins attempted to rein in the free-flowing swing by sending the ball full into the leg-stump, Sooryavanshi responded with immediate changes and sent it over Cummins’s head. A short ball was then cut away past third man, and on the next delivery—a slower ball—Sooryavanshi struck it down the ground. By the third over, Cummins had run out of answers.
- Sooryavanshi adjusted quickly after Cummins bowled full toward the leg-stump.
- A short ball was dispatched over third man.
- The following slower delivery was driven straight down the ground.
- The impact of those choices was evident early, with Cummins losing ideas by the third over.
Innings impact: 97 off 29 and a Gayle benchmark
The knock ended with Sooryavanshi scoring 97 runs from just 29 balls—an innings so dominant that it came only one six away from breaking Chris Gayle’s mark for the fastest IPL century. His timing and power were on full display as he kept finding ways to clear the boundary.
- Sooryavanshi finished with 97 off 29 balls.
- He was one hit short of breaking Chris Gayle’s record for the quickest IPL hundred.
Special knock in the Eliminator and praise from the Royals camp
Jurel’s comments underline how Sooryavanshi has been consistent in his fearless approach throughout the tournament — whether taking on Jasprit Bumrah earlier or most recently challenging Cummins. The list of prominent bowlers who have had to absorb the damage from his hitting includes Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada.
Rajasthan’s build-up around Sooryavanshi was also discussed by assistant coach James Franklin, who explained that their plans didn’t hold up because the margin for execution against him was incredibly narrow—especially on a good pitch.
- Sooryavanshi has already taken on Jasprit Bumrah, and earlier in the tournament has also hit bowlers such as Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada.
- Franklin said there was only a “very, very small” margin for bowlers to succeed against him.
- He added that on a really good surface, it becomes even tougher to land the exact ball length and line required.
- Franklin noted that during the opening phase of the Powerplay, the tactic was to bowl quite full, aiming inside the leg-stump to try to get under Sooryavanshi’s swing.
- He said Sooryavanshi then started working the plan out.
Six-hitting streak and global praise for the talent
Franklin also reflected on the broader nature of Sooryavanshi’s current form, calling his impact “freakish.” He pointed out that even Sunrisers Hyderabad were quick to celebrate Sooryavanshi’s special innings in the Eliminator—an indication of how far his performance has travelled across the competition.
Sooryavanshi’s six-hitting spree has been equally striking: he struck 12 sixes in the innings, surpassing Gayle for the most maximums in a season. Franklin, a former New Zealand fast bowler, said the world has not seen a talent like him, stressing that the prospect of a long career makes the situation even more remarkable.
- Franklin said Sunrisers Hyderabad reacted quickly to Sooryavanshi’s standout knock in the Eliminator.
- Sooryavanshi struck 12 sixes in the innings, moving above Chris Gayle for the most sixes in a season.
- Franklin described Sooryavanshi’s current form as “freakish.”
- He said no one has seen a talent like this and suggested that with around 25 years of potential at the start of a career, the outlook is “scary.”
- Franklin added that Sooryavanshi is only expected to improve—growing stronger and maturing with experience.
