AB de Villiers Boldly Compares Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Jacob Bethell Despite Just 43 IPL 2026 Runs

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has sparked discussion in the cricketing world after drawing a comparison between Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Jacob Bethell. His remarks came while assessing emerging talents in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the long-term potential of young batters in the competition.

The IPL has long been regarded as a launchpad for young cricketers from India and overseas, with several players using the tournament as a springboard to international success. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has recently impressed with his performances for Rajasthan Royals, earning attention for his composure and aggressive batting at a very young age. Meanwhile, Bethell, an English batting prospect, was picked up by RCB with high expectations for the future.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers praised Bethell’s talent while acknowledging that both players are still in the early stages of their careers. He noted that although the two are different in age and background, they share similar qualities as left-handed batters with significant potential to develop into match-winners over time.

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De Villiers said that both Sooryavanshi and Bethell possess “superstar talent” but emphasised that they still have a long learning curve ahead. He highlighted that experience and exposure at the highest level would be crucial in shaping their careers, adding that both players could become dominant forces in world cricket if they continue their development.However, the comparison has also drawn attention due to Bethell’s modest start in the IPL. The RCB youngster has managed only 43 runs in four matches so far in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, raising questions about whether such high-level comparisons are premature at this stage of his career.

Despite the early struggles, Bethell remains a long-term investment for RCB, who secured his services for ₹2.60 crore during the IPL 2025 auction. The franchise is believed to view him as a future asset capable of strengthening their batting core in the coming seasons.De Villiers, however, remained optimistic about Bethell’s trajectory, suggesting that both he and Sooryavanshi could evolve into impactful players with time. He added that consistent backing and patience from franchises would be key in allowing young talents to fulfil their potential in a highly competitive league like the IPL.

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