Sooryavanshi hailed as generational talent after explosive IPL eliminator knock

NEW CHANDIGARH: Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach James Franklin has described Rajasthan Royals’ teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a rare, once-in-a-generation talent after the 15-year-old delivered another breathtaking performance in the Indian Premier League eliminator.

Sooryavanshi produced a stunning innings of 97 from just 29 balls on Wednesday, powering Rajasthan Royals to a 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad and keeping their hopes of reaching the IPL final alive. His knock once again underlined why he has become the standout name of the season and one of the most talked-about young cricketers in world cricket.

The left-handed batter fell just short of a century, but his innings was packed with extraordinary power-hitting. He struck 12 sixes, including three consecutive maximums off Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins, as Rajasthan took control of the knockout contest.

His latest display also saw him break Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Gayle had hit 59 sixes in 2012, but Sooryavanshi moved past that mark during the eliminator, taking his season tally to 65.

Franklin says teenager’s ceiling is frightening

Speaking after the match, Franklin said Sooryavanshi’s current level was almost impossible to compare with anything seen before in the game. He said the teenager’s talent was extraordinary and that the most daunting part for opposition teams was how much time he still had to improve.

According to Franklin, Sooryavanshi is already devastating bowlers despite being only 15, and with years of growth, experience and physical development ahead of him, his potential is “scary”.

The Hyderabad assistant coach said bowlers had very little room for error against him because of the range and confidence with which he plays. He noted that Sooryavanshi is not only powerful but also smart enough to respond to different bowling plans, forcing bowlers into areas that often suit his strengths.

That combination of power, timing and adaptability has made him the most dangerous batter of the tournament. Sooryavanshi is currently the season’s leading run-scorer, having piled up 680 runs at a staggering strike rate of 242.85.

His rise has been rapid. Last year, he announced himself by hitting the first ball he faced in the IPL for six at the age of 14. He later became the youngest player to score a Twenty20 hundred, further strengthening his reputation as one of cricket’s most exciting young prospects.

Rajasthan move one step closer to final

Although Sooryavanshi missed the fastest century in IPL history, which remains Gayle’s 30-ball hundred, his 29-ball 97 was more than enough to shift the momentum decisively in Rajasthan’s favour.

The victory means Rajasthan Royals remain alive in the playoff race. They will now face Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier on Friday, with the winner moving into Sunday’s final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

For Hyderabad, the defeat brought their campaign to an end, but Franklin’s praise for Sooryavanshi showed the impact the teenager had even on the opposition camp.

The performance also added another chapter to what has already become a remarkable season for the young Rajasthan opener. At an age when most players are still developing at junior level, Sooryavanshi is dominating one of cricket’s biggest franchise tournaments and rewriting records previously held by some of the most destructive batters in the game.