Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his explosive innings against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2026 clash on Tuesday. The teenage prodigy produced a whirlwind 14-ball 39, taking on MI’s experienced bowling lineup that included the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Shardul Thakur.

The highlight of the innings was Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach against Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in all formats of the game. He struck the star pacer for two towering sixes in the second over, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The prodigy also smashed a 131 kph delivery on middle and leg for a first-ball six over mid-on, demonstrating composure well beyond his years.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Gavaskar admitted that as a Mumbai Indians supporter, watching the teenager dominate Bumrah was a bittersweet experience. "It was absolutely fantastic to watch. "I'm a Mumbai Indians supporter, so actually, in a way, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it, but for the fact that it was such a young kid, 15 years old, playing against the best bowler in all formats of the game," he said. Gavaskar added that even some of the most experienced batters globally have struggled to handle Bumrah the way Sooryavanshi did in his first few deliveries.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Leads Historic Victory Over Mumbai Indians, Records Broken

Gavaskar also emphasized the quality of the teenager’s strokes, noting that they were executed perfectly rather than relying on luck. "Those shots were not just going over the boundary rope; they were going into the stands. Sometimes you top-edge a ball, and it goes for a six – not that. He hit it off the middle of the bat," he said.

The match had generated buzz even before the first ball, with fans and experts eager to see the face-off between the teenage sensation and the seasoned pacer. Sooryavanshi delivered on the hype, displaying fearless strokeplay and excellent hand-eye coordination that belied his age. Gavaskar highlighted that the innings was a combination of raw talent, skill, and maturity.

While the innings delighted cricket enthusiasts worldwide, it also raised hopes for India’s next generation of cricketing talent. Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach against top-tier bowlers like Bumrah has already put him in the spotlight, with many suggesting he could become a key figure in Indian cricket in the coming years. Gavaskar’s witty acknowledgement — balancing his MI loyalty with admiration for the young talent — captured the sentiment of fans who were both stunned and impressed by the prodigy’s performance.

Also Read: Jaiswal Says Sooryavanshi’s First-Over Attack On Bumrah Helped Ease Pressure