Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not threatened by the name of the bowler as he looks to play the ball and not the bowler. The other night it was Jasprit Bumrah and yesterday, he took on Australia’s Josh Hazlewood.
The 15-year-old smashed 78 off just 26 balls as Rajasthan Royals chased down Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s target of 201 with two overs to spare.
“I try to execute what I practice and back my natural game. Yes, at the back of your mind, you know who the bowler (Bumrah or Hazlewood) is but you play the ball not the bowler,” said Sooryavanshi, who hit the star Aussie bowler for three boundaries and a six off four successive deliveries.
Popularity and stardom at such a young age could become counter productive, but Sooryavanshi said his feet are firmly on the ground, with his father and the Royals’ support in his corner.
“They always tell me that it is a long journey and my focus should only and only be on the game,” he said.
Sooryavanshi was upset to get out on 78, and said, “My thinking is that had I been around, I could have scored 20 more runs which would be beneficial for the team,” Sooryavanshi said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Sooryavanshi continued to take on some of the world’s best bowlers with remarkable ease, showing outstanding bat speed and timing. The teenager had already unsettled Bumrah in an earlier game against Mumbai Indians, and this time it was Jos Hazlewood who found himself under pressure.
Hazlewood, known for his accuracy, bowled a tight delivery aimed at cramping him for room. But to his surprise, Sooryavanshi still managed to cut it hard and find the boundary.
He carried on the attack in the same over. The next ball was struck over mid-on for another boundary and then he picked up a delivery outside off stump and sent it into the square leg stands.
Even a seasoned bowler like Bhuvneshwar Kumar could not contain him. Sooryavanshi, along with Jurel, put together a brilliant 108-run stand for the second wicket in just over six overs.
