After teenage batting phenom Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit a 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL Eliminator, legendary Sachin Tendulkar led the cricket world in wonder and adoration, praising the left-hander’s “outstanding bat swing.”
With a 47-run victory over SRH, Sooryavanshi’s blitz enabled the Rajasthan Royals advance to Qualifier 2, shattering Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in an IPL edition (59). In this version of the league, the 15-year-old has now hit 65 sixes.
“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 on his ‘X’ account.
Yuvraj Singh, a multiple World Cup winner, called Sooryavanshi “unbelievable.”
“Boss baby breaks world bosses record! Unbelievable this kid great to watch. #unreal,” he wrote.
Indian cricket is in good hands because of players like Sooryavanshi, according to former all-rounder Suresh Raina.
“Dictionary doesn’t have enough words to describe what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has done in this tournament. What a player, what a prodigy. The fact that people are actually waiting to watch him bat proves that Indian future is in safe hands,” Raina wrote on social media.
Lan Bishop, a former pacer for the West Indies, described Sooryavanshi’s stroke quality as rare.
“Very special again from Vaibav Sooryavanshi. 97(29) in his first-ever IPL playoff match. It’s also the rare quality of his strokes,” Bishop said.
Former India player Mohammad Kaif said, “We are seeing a miracle, we are seeing a future star, we are seeing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the wonder boy. Jaw dropping sixes, breaks universal boss Chris Gayle’s record of most sixes in his first full IPL season. And he’s just 15. The opposition players, owners and the entire cricket world applauds. Cricket has so much to look forward to.”
England batting great Kevin Pietersen was also in awe of Sooryavanshi’s exploits.
“Sooryavanshi is an absolute joke! My goodness. That six over cover…” he wrote.
Kagiso Rabada of the Gujarat Titans, who would play Sooryavanshi in the Qualifier 2 on Friday, is looking forward to get the better of the youthful player in the crucial match.
“He has got really fast hands, and he is fearless at the moment. There is not an ounce of fear in his body, and that’s how you really are when you are young. It really fascinates me. It is great to see that the game is well and truly alive. What I think is that he is just another batter, and I try to get the better of him,” the South African said.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan added: “He is the best T20 opener in the World.. India have to pick him…”
One of the pioneers of T20 batsmanship, AB de Villiers, described Sooryavanshi’s mental clarity as “incredible.”
“What stood out most about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s innings was his composure and clarity under pressure at just 15 years of age. Pat Cummins kept trying different plans, constantly changing the field and mixing their lengths to disrupt his rhythm.
“But he stayed completely locked into his own bubble throughout the innings. That level of game awareness in a knockout match is remarkable for someone so young,” the South African said on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search Al Mode Match Centre Live.’
Former India skipper Anil Kumble was astonished by Sooryavanshi’s ability to stay away from pressure.
“Vaibhav Suryavanshi has shown throughout the season that pressure simply doesn’t seem to affect him, and this innings was another example of that. In just 29 balls, he completely changed the direction of the game and put Sunrisers Hyderabad under immense pressure right from the start,” Kumble said on the show.
Sooryavanshi’s knock was described as “extraordinary” by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
“Congratulations to Rajasthan Royals on a brilliant victory against SRH in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. What an extraordinary innings by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 97 off just 29 balls. Truly short of words to describe such a remarkable knock. Wishing RR the very best for the next game,” he wrote on ‘X’.
Veteran Congress politician P Chidambaram also lauded the youngster for his brilliant innings.
“Incredible 97 runs in 29 balls by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He missed his century again. Sad miss, but the spectacular show will remain etched in memory,” he wrote.
Chris Gayle also praised the youngster, calling him “a new six machine”.
“What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! New Six machine @IPL,” Gayle posted on X.
