Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara has recalled a striking early encounter with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing the moment as one of the most memorable net sessions he has witnessed during his time with the Rajasthan Royals setup. His comments have once again brought attention to the young batter’s rapid rise and fearless approach against high-quality pace bowling. Sangakkara, who was serving as Rajasthan Royals’ director of cricket at the time, said the incident occurred during a short pre-season visit to the franchise’s training camp in Guwahati ahead of the Indian Premier League.

He explained that the session featured several frontline bowlers, including England fast bowler Jofra Archer and India’s Sandeep Sharma, operating with the new ball in competitive practice conditions designed to simulate match intensity. According to Sangakkara, what immediately stood out was the confidence and composure of Sooryavanshi, who was still only 14 at the time. In a training environment where many batters were hesitant to face express pace, the youngster reportedly volunteered to take strike against the bowlers in a demanding net lane.

Sangakkara noted that this willingness alone reflected a rare level of self-belief for someone so young. What followed, he said, quickly turned into an extraordinary exhibition of power hitting. Sangakkara described the sound of Sooryavanshi’s bat striking the ball as unusually forceful and consistent, comparing it to a “gunshot” every time he made contact. The intensity of his stroke play, even in practice conditions, left a strong impression on those watching from the sidelines. Sangakkara further recalled how Sooryavanshi appeared unfazed by the pace and reputation of the bowlers he was facing. He said the young batter took on Archer and Sandeep Sharma with remarkable confidence, playing aggressive shots with little hesitation.

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The session, according to him, became increasingly one-sided as Sooryavanshi continued to find boundaries with apparent ease. At one point, Sangakkara said, even Archer responded with a smile after being struck repeatedly, acknowledging the unusual dominance of a teenager against an international fast bowler. The moment, he suggested, captured both the shock and admiration of those present, as the net session shifted from routine practice into something far more extraordinary. “So much so that at one time, I think Archer stopped and laughed. Because he was bowling quickly, and this 14-year-old kid was just treating him with absolute disdain,” Sangakkara recalled while speaking during a Sky Sports Cricket broadcast covering the India-Ireland T20I in Belfast.

Now serving as head coach of Rajasthan Royals, Sangakkara said the memory continues to stand out as an early indicator of Sooryavanshi’s exceptional potential. He added that such glimpses of raw talent are rare, especially at such a young age, and often signal the emergence of players capable of performing at the highest level. The recollection has further heightened interest in Sooryavanshi’s development within the franchise system, with fans and analysts closely watching his progress as he continues to refine his game in professional cricket environments.

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