Vaibhav Sooryavanshi creates ‘Gayle-level fear’, says Pathan as record 59 sixes approaches

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: IPL) Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has heaped praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the youngster instills the same fear among bowlers as legendary T20 powerhouse Chris Gayle once did during his prime. Pathan also believes that Sooryavanshi now actually threatens Gayle’s long-standing IPL record of 59 sixes in a single season.Rajasthan Royals kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, thanks to another breathtaking innings from the 15-year-old prodigy. Chasing a daunting target of 221, Sooryavanshi unleashed an all-out carnage, smashing 93 off just 38 balls, including seven fours and 10 towering sixes, at a staggering 244.74. The explosive knock also helped him make history as the first ever Indian batsman to hit 50 sixes in a single IPL season.Earlier in the evening, LSG posted a massive 220/5 after a dominant opening partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. Marsh smashed 96 off 57 deliveries while Inglis smashed 60 off just 29 balls. Yash Raj Punia emerged as the pick of the RR bowlers with figures of 2/35.During the chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal provided the early impetus while Sooryavanshi started cautiously, scoring only five runs from his first 10 balls. But once he settled in, the teenager completely took over the contest, smashing 24 runs in one against Akash Singh and racing to a stunning half-century off 23 balls.Also read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reveals the real reason behind ‘A”s viral celebration after LSG raidSpeaking after the match, Pathan highlighted the maturity and improved range in Sooryavanshi’s batting as the most impressive aspect of his innings.“It was unbelievable. The maturity he showed was a highlight for me. Whenever we watch Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, we say he is a very good leg-side player, but the way he played in the offside in this game was outstanding,” Pathan said on JioStar.“He’s got great control of the backstroke. He’s driven through covers and even played the top cut over third man. He’s very hard to stop,” he added.“He was batting at less than 100 in his first 10 balls and at the end of the innings he scored 93 runs off just 38 balls,” noted Pathan.Also read: ‘We’re not even 15%’: Virat Kohli’s honest admission on the fitness standards of Indian hockey playersThe former India all-rounder then drew a striking comparison with Chris Gayle, saying bowlers were beginning to feel the same fear of Sooryavanshi that they once experienced against the West Indies icon.“With 53 sixes, he is actually going after Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes, which has stood since 2012. As bowlers, we have always been scared to face Chris Gayle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi creates the same fear and Gayle’s record is definitely under threat,” concluded Pathan.

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