'Smacks Australia's best fast bowlers': Pathan in awe of Sooryavanshi’s bold approach

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm, playing fearless cricket against some of the world’s best bowlers and currently leading the Orange Cap race with 400 runs. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the teenager’s 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.

Pathan’s 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.

“It'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,” Pathan told IANS on the sidelines of the EUT20 Belgium jersey launch event.

And Sooryavanshi isn’t just attacking top bowlers - he’s 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 Siraj’s 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.