Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ANI) Kagiso Rabada has become the latest global star to be impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting, with Gujarat Titans quick to admit that the Rajasthan Royals teenager has a rare combination of power, confidence and natural flair. Rabada, who was one of the outstanding fast bowlers of IPL 2026 with 21 wickets, found himself under attack by the 15-year-old sensation during Gujarat Titans’ clash against Rajasthan Royals earlier this season. Sooryavanshi smashed Rabada for back-to-back sixes in a fearless display that reaffirmed his growing reputation as one of the most devastating young batsmen in world cricket.
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Shane Bond on RR matches, bowling crisis and the IPL batting revolution The teenager has already made headlines this season as he has taken on elite bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj and Bhuvneshwar Kumar without hesitation. Against Gujarat too, Siraj was dropped for a first ball six while Sooryavanshi continued his amazing rise. Speaking to PTI, Rabada admitted that he was fascinated by the youngster’s mentality and fearless approach at such a young age. “He’s a big talent. He’s got really quick hands. He’s fearless at the moment. There’s not an iota of fear in his body. That’s how it normally is when you’re young, it’s really fascinating. I think it’s great to see in the game of cricket, in the IPL. It’s great to see the game is well and truly coming to life,” and who else is alive who sees nature well and truly alive. the South African said quickly. Despite the hype surrounding Sooryavanshi, Rabada said his mindset as a bowler remains unchanged when he takes to bowling. “What I think is just another at-bat. And try to overpower him. It’s almost like a little flair. He’s definitely an X-factor player. Someone who draws the eye to the game. Fantastic. Really quick hands. No worries. That’s a hell of a combination,” he added. Rabada himself has been in top form this season, consistently hitting 150km/h while forming one of the IPL’s most dangerous new-ball pairings alongside Mohammed Siraj. The duo have troubled batting lineups during the power-play phase, with Rabada generating steep bounces and seam movements in relentless stretches of Test matches. The 30-year-old has now crossed the 20-wicket mark in an IPL season for the fourth time in his career, though he insisted he is not too focused on personal milestones. “I’m excited going into the season, whichever team you’re playing for, this time it’s Gujarat, I just feel like I’ll be here to try my best and leave it at that. And whatever the result is, that’s what it will be,” he said. Reflecting on his partnership with Siraj, Rabada said their chemistry has evolved naturally over the course of the season. “I think it creates a partnership and that’s pretty much it. He’s got a job and I’ve got a job. I think we’ve bonded a little bit off the field as well, but it’s not really anything organized.” “We found ourselves bowling together and trying to fulfill that role as best we could. There’s no real magic formula,” he explained.
