Former South Africa batter and IPL great AB de Villiers has lauded Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his explosive knock in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, describing the 15-year-old’s game awareness and composure as “remarkable” for his age. Sooryavanshi produced a sensational 97 off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, an innings that powered Rajasthan Royals to a commanding total and ultimately helped them secure a 47-run win to advance to Qualifier 2. The knock, played under high-pressure knockout conditions, has drawn widespread praise from across the cricketing world.
Reacting to the performance, de Villiers highlighted not just the youngster’s aggressive strokeplay but also his calmness in responding to constant tactical adjustments from Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins. He noted that despite changes in field settings, variations in pace, and shifting lengths, Sooryavanshi remained composed and executed his shots with clarity. “What stood out most about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s innings was his composure and clarity under pressure at just 15 years of age,” de Villiers said on JioStar. “Pat Cummins and Sunrisers Hyderabad kept trying different plans, constantly changing the field and mixing their lengths, but he stayed completely locked into his own bubble. That level of game awareness in a knockout match is remarkable”.
De Villiers added that Sooryavanshi appeared fully prepared for every tactical shift attempted by the opposition. He emphasized that the teenager’s ability to dominate all areas of the ground while scoring at such a rapid rate in an eliminator showcased a level of fearlessness rarely seen in players so young. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star also pointed to the youngster’s preparation methods and mental discipline as key differentiators.
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He said Sooryavanshi’s awareness of match-ups, study of bowlers, and pre-match visualization routines reflect unusual maturity for a 15-year-old cricketer operating at the highest level of franchise cricket.De Villiers further compared aspects of Sooryavanshi’s mental approach to former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who was known for his strong visualization techniques during his playing career. He noted that while such routines would naturally evolve over time, the important factor is that Sooryavanshi is already developing his own processes rather than imitating others.
According to de Villiers, this sense of individuality could play a crucial role in shaping the teenager’s long-term success in international cricket. He stressed that the best players ultimately refine what works uniquely for them, and Sooryavanshi appears to be on that path early in his career. Rajasthan Royals will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday in New Chandigarh as they continue their push towards the IPL 2026 final.
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