Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra lavished praise on Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his breathtaking innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator.
The teenage batting sensation produced a stunning display of power-hitting, smashing 97 runs off just 29 deliveries to guide Rajasthan Royals to a massive total and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Chopra said that once Sooryavanshi settled in at the crease, the SRH bowlers had no answers to his aggressive strokeplay. He described the innings as a fearless exhibition of modern T20 batting, highlighting the youngster’s ability to dominate experienced international bowlers.
The explosive knock included a barrage of sixes and helped the young opener break Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Sooryavanshi now leads the charts with 65 sixes this season, further underlining his extraordinary rise in the tournament.
The 15-year-old has emerged as one of the biggest stories of IPL 2026, consistently delivering fearless performances at the top of the order for Rajasthan Royals. His innings against Hyderabad once again showcased his remarkable timing, composure and attacking intent under pressure.
While several former cricketers and experts have called for Sooryavanshi’s fast-tracked inclusion in the Indian team, Chopra urged selectors to remain patient and allow the youngster more time to develop naturally at the highest level.
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