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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is leading the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 400 runs, showcasing fearless cricket against top bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Irfan Pathan praises this bold approach as a sign of a new era in Indian cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm, playing fearless cricket against some of the worldâs best bowlers and currently leading the Orange Cap race with 400 runs. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the teenagerâs audacious approach signals an exciting shift in Indian cricket, where young players are no longer intimidated by big names or reputations.
Australian pacers have long been known for their dominance, built on pace, precision, and relentless hard lengths. But Sooryavanshi has approached them with remarkable confidence, taking on the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins right from the outset. From hitting a first-ball six off Jasprit Bumrah, to taking on Trent Boult, and the same audacity against Cummins and then dismantling Hazlewood with a sequence of 4, 4, 4, 6 in an over, Sooryavanshi has shown no hesitation in attacking some of the finest bowlers of the modern era.
Pathanâs comments come amid a wave of emerging talent making an immediate impact at the highest level, reflecting a mindset where age and experience are no longer barriers.
âIt's an exciting time for Indian cricket. The way they play fearless cricket, and you know, they don't worry about anything. They don't worry about getting out. They don't worry about, you know, who's bowling in front of them. A 15-year-old boy (Sooryavanshi) goes and smacks one of Australia's best fast bowlers. So, there is no better side, you know, in cricket at the moment, especially from the Indian side,â Pathan told IANS on the sidelines of the EUT20 Belgium jersey launch event.
And Sooryavanshi isnât just attacking top bowlers - heâs dismissing reputations. Against a roll call of elite names, there are no sighters, no respect for pedigree, just instant intent. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hit for four off the very first ball he bowled to him, while Arshdeep Singh was greeted with 6, 4, 4 in his very first over. Even the craft of Sunil Narine and Sirajâs pace did not stop him - both were taken on almost immediately. And when Ferguson came steaming in the other night, Sooryavanshi reeled off 4, 4, 6 in his opening burst.
And overall, among all the bowlers he has faced in the IPL so far, the reading looks even more impressive. Only against Mohsin Khan and Narine has Sooryavanshi been unable to break the shackles, while Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna have had a more balanced outing against the young Turk.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a young cricketer leading the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 400 runs, demonstrating a fearless batting style against top bowlers.
Irfan Pathan praised Sooryavanshi's audacious batting against renowned bowlers, indicating a shift in Indian cricket towards fearless play by young talents.
Sooryavanshi has confidently attacked Australian pacers, including hitting a first-ball six off Jasprit Bumrah and scoring heavily against Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

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