‘My new favourite player’: Cummins in awe of teen sensation Sooryavanshi

JAIPUR : On a cricket field, certain names demand caution. But for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, reputations are merely obstacles between him and the boundary.

On Saturday night at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Rajasthan Royals opener showed once again that he plays the ball, not the man - regardless of how many World Cups that man may have won.

The carnage began in the very first over, as he tore into Praful Hinge with breathtaking disdain. Four consecutive sixes set the tone — the first launched into the stands, the second pulled over deep square leg, the third flicked to long leg and the fourth carved over long-on.

He didn’t slow down. In the next over, he welcomed Pat Cummins with an imperious six over deep midwicket - a statement shot that underlined his fearlessness. Where most young batters might have taken time to settle, Sooryavanshi needed just one ball to assert himself.

This wasn’t a one-off. Earlier in the tournament, he had shown the same audacity against Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood. It has quickly become a hallmark of his game — whether facing India’s premier pacer or Australia’s finest, Sooryavanshi attacks with the same intent.

His 37-ball 103 powered Rajasthan Royals to a formidable 228. But it wasn’t enough, as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target with five wickets in hand.

Even in defeat, Sooryavanshi left a lasting impression. Cummins, the opposition captain, was effusive in his praise.

“He’s my new favourite player. He hits the ball so hard. It’s great to watch, it’s good fun,” Cummins said at the post-match press conference. “You’ve got to be right on the money as a bowler, because if you’re not, it’s going a long way. He’s impressive. He’s had a great start to his career and I like the way he plays. He takes the game on,” he added.

For Sooryavanshi, the hundred was simply an outcome of a clear, uncomplicated mindset - play with freedom.

“I don’t have a plan for a first-ball six. Before the match, we planned to play freely and back our game. The wicket was good, so I trusted myself. I wanted to give my 100% for the team,” he said during the innings break.

“I thought about the shots I could play and tried to visualise them.”

At 15, Sooryavanshi isn’t just announcing himself - he’s redefining how fearlessly the next generation might approach the game.