Vaibhav Sooryavanshi keeps things simple even as the limelight continues to grow around him. The 15-year-old, who has faced some of the best fast bowlers in the world in recent matches, says his approach is unchanged: watch the ball, not the bowler.
That clarity was evident in back-to-back performances. The other day it was Jasprit Bumrah. On Friday night it was Josh Hazlewood. Different conditions, different challenges, same result. Bowlers with years of international experience were left scrambling for answers against a teenager who seemed unfazed by the rumours.
Sooryavanshi’s 78 off just 26 balls guided Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable chase of 201 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with the target sealed with two overs to spare. It wasn’t just the pace of the innings but the control he showed throughout.
“I try to execute what I practice and support my natural game. Yes, in the back of your mind you know who the bowler is (Bumrah or Hazlewood) but you don’t play the ball,” said Sooryavanshi.
It may sound straightforward, but it’s far from easy to do against pitchers who revel in creating doubt.
Hazlewood tried the usual methods of containing the attacking batter. Entering the body, he looked to shrink the space and forced Sooryavanshi to conform. One such van rammed into him and pushed him into space. It was the kind of ball that often leads to a point or a poorly timed shot. Instead, Sooryavanshi managed to free his hands and cut him into four.
What followed completely shifted the dynamic. The next ball was lifted cleanly over mid off and then came a shot from outside off that sailed into the stands at square leg. The shots came quickly, but there was no sense of panic. Every stroke was controlled, with timely readings of length and quick decisions.
It wasn’t a one-off. Earlier in the season, Bumrah, regarded as one of the most complete T20 bowlers, was also received with similar confidence. Where most batsmen show caution, Sooryavanshi tried to counter. Of his 78 runs, 74 were in boundaries, eight fours and seven sixes, and he needed just 15 balls to get there. It wasn’t just the power of the punches, but the clean punch and precise timing.
Even as attention grows around him, Sooryavanshi insists on staying grounded. He credits his father Sanjiv and Rajasthan Royals support staff member Romi Bhinder for keeping him focused.
“They always tell me it’s a long way and I should just focus on the game,” he said.
Despite the winning contribution, he admitted that he was not completely satisfied after the 78 performance.
“I think if I was there, I could have scored 20 more points, which would have been beneficial for the team,” Sooryavanshi said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
That mindset is reflected in how he approaches his career thus far. While there is often talk of young players facing a slump in their second season once opposition teams take a closer look at them, Sooryavanshi continues to build on his strong debut year.
His first season as a 14-year-old already marked him as a player to watch. He looks more confident this season and adds consistency to his natural game.
In a format where a strike rate of 200 is considered elite, Sooryavanshi pushes the pace significantly higher. However, the method remains unchanged.
For now, be it Bumrah or Hazlewood, the approach remains the same. Watch the ball, play on merit and let the rest follow.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
11 Apr 2026 01:39 IST
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