Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: IPL) 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 bold 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, accuracy and relentless hard lengths. But Sooryavanshi approached them with remarkable confidence, taking on the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins right from the start. Sooryavanshi showed no hesitation and attacked some of the best bowlers of the modern era, from hitting Jasprit Bumrah’s first ball 6, to taking on Trent Boult and the same audacity against Cummins and then dismantling Hazlewood with a sequence of 4, 4, 4, 6.
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James Hopes reacts after PBKS loss, calls it ‘reality check’Pathan’s comments come amid a wave of emerging talent making an immediate impact at the highest level and reflect 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 care about anything. They don’t worry about getting out. They don’t care about who’s bowling in front of them. A 15-year-old boy (Sooryavanshi) goes and smacks one of Australia’s best players, the best in Australia, Sorick, you don’t know better at that point. The Indian side,” Pathan told IANS on the sidelines of the ceremony start of the EUT20 event in Belgium.And Sooryavanshi doesn’t just attack top bowlers – he rejects the reputation. There are no watchers against dating elite names, no respect for pedigree, just instant intent. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hit for four off the very first ball he bowled, while Arshdeep Singh was greeted with 6, 4, 4 in his very first over. Even Sunil Narine’s art and Siraj’s pace didn’t stop him – both took over almost immediately. And when Ferguson came on steam last night, Sooryavanshi fell for 4, 4, 6 in his opening burst.And overall, among all the bowlers he has faced in the IPL so far, Reading looks even more impressive. Only against Mohsin Khan and Narine Sooryavanshi did he fail to break the shackles, while Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna had a more even match against the young Turk.
