Pat Cummins was left in awe after witnessing a sensational display from teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing the 15-year-old as his “new favourite player” following a remarkable innings in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Teen Sensation Lights Up Jaipur
Sooryavanshi continued his meteoric rise with a breathtaking 103 off just 37 deliveries for the Rajasthan Royals against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. His explosive knock, featuring five boundaries and 12 towering sixes, electrified the Jaipur crowd and underscored his growing reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the tournament.
Despite his brilliance, Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased down the daunting 228-run target, securing a five-wicket victory in a high-scoring contest.
Fearless Against the Best
The young batter showed no signs of hesitation against Cummins, launching the Australian pacer for a six off the very first ball he faced. Though he encountered only four deliveries from the SRH skipper, his aggressive intent was unmistakable.
Having already taken on elite bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood earlier in the season, Sooryavanshi once again demonstrated his ability to dominate world-class pace attacks with confidence and flair.
Cummins Full of Praise
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Cummins was effusive in his praise. “I think he’s my new favourite player. He hits the ball so hard, it’s great to watch. It’s good fun,” he said.
Highlighting the challenge of bowling in modern T20 cricket, he added, “You have to be right on the money as a bowler. If you are not, it’s going a long way. It’s impressive. He has had a great start to his career, and I like the way he plays—he takes the game on.”
SRH’s Successful Chase
Reflecting on his return as captain, Cummins admitted there were initial uncertainties following his break from the game. “Really happy with the win. You are never quite sure how it is going to come out in the first game. Preparations were good,” he noted.
He also lightheartedly acknowledged the evolving nature of T20 cricket, remarking, “We might need to start working on our batting,” in reference to the growing dominance of aggressive stroke play.
Cummins credited the team’s depth and composure, particularly praising stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan and the younger players for their contributions.
Summing up the successful chase, he said, “We got off to a flyer in the powerplay and then it was just about maintaining around 10 runs per over. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan and the others scored quickly. We have a very calm and confident group.”
The match not only highlighted Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting strength but also marked the arrival of a fearless new star in Sooryavanshi, whose audacious stroke play continues to capture the imagination of the cricketing world.
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