Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer has heaped massive praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster powered Rajasthan Royals to a memorable victory in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The 15-year-old smashed a breathtaking 94 off just 36 balls during Rajasthan’s successful chase of 221 runs against Lucknow on Tuesday, leaving Langer stunned by the maturity and fearlessness displayed by the young batter against elite bowling attacks.
Addressing reporters after the match, Langer admitted that Sooryavanshi was the clear difference-maker in the contest. The former Australian opener said the teenager’s aggressive innings shifted momentum entirely in Rajasthan’s favor and left Lucknow’s bowlers struggling to respond. He noted that several young bowlers in the LSG lineup would gain valuable experience from facing such an attacking player, adding that performances like these highlight the unforgiving nature of top-level T20 cricket, where a single batter can dominate an entire bowling attack within a few overs.
Langer was especially impressed by Sooryavanshi’s ability to attack some of the world’s best fast bowlers without hesitation. The coach recalled how international stars like Mitchell Starc and Anrich Nortje appeared visibly shocked while bowling to the teenager earlier in the tournament. According to Langer, the expressions on the bowlers’ faces reflected the disbelief many players feel when watching Sooryavanshi’s fearless stroke play. He described the youngster’s batting as “breathtaking” and said it was difficult to understand how someone so young could already dominate international-caliber bowling attacks so consistently.
Also Read: IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 38-Ball 93 Shatters Multiple Youth Cricket Records
The Australian coach went even further by comparing Sooryavanshi’s adaptability to legendary batter Donald Bradman. Langer suggested that truly great players possess a natural ability to evolve according to match conditions and bowling strategies, and he believes the Rajasthan Royals batter has already shown signs of that rare quality. He remarked that the “scary” aspect for world cricket is that Sooryavanshi is still at the beginning of his development despite already having become one of the most destructive batters in the IPL this season.
Langer also highlighted the importance of consistent run-scoring in a young player’s development and argued that Sooryavanshi’s repeated success across formats demonstrates that his performances are not based purely on risky hitting. The LSG coach said the teenager’s ability to score heavily again and again indicates a deeper understanding of batting instincts than many players develop much later in their careers. He added that if the youngster continues learning and refining his technique while maintaining the same confidence, he could become one of the defining players of the next generation.
Questions were also raised about whether Sooryavanshi could replicate his success in challenging overseas conditions such as England and Australia. Langer dismissed any doubts, pointing to the youngster’s performances during India Under-19 and India A tours in Australia as evidence of his adaptability. He insisted that bowlers around the world would continue struggling to find effective plans against him because of his attacking range and confidence. The glowing endorsement from one of Australia’s most respected cricket minds has further strengthened Sooryavanshi’s growing reputation as one of the brightest emerging stars in international cricket.
Also Read: Agarkar Says No Clarity On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Debut, Cites Jaiswal