New Delhi: India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has offered a strong assessment of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying there is no jealousy or meaningful comparison when it comes to the 15-year-old’s performances. Jurel, who shares the Rajasthan Royals dressing room with Sooryavanshi, said the youngster’s ability to attack bowlers at such an age is difficult for other batters to replicate.
Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the most talked-about young cricketers in India after making an impact in the Indian Premier League and subsequently breaking into the senior international setup. His performances have also led to comparisons with established Indian openers, particularly Sanju Samson, who returned to the team for the recent T20I series against Afghanistan.
Jurel, however, does not see the need for such comparisons.
Jurel: ‘There’s no jealousy, there’s no comparison’
Speaking on former India opener Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, Jurel was asked about playing alongside Sooryavanshi and the attention surrounding the teenager.
Jurel said Sooryavanshi deserved the praise he was receiving and described his performances as something that other players could only watch with admiration.
The Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter said there was “no jealousy” and “no comparison” because the teenager was producing performances that were difficult to replicate. According to Jurel, comparisons generally arise when two players believe they can achieve similar things, whereas Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach has made his performances stand apart.
Jurel also explained the effect Sooryavanshi has on the other batters in the Rajasthan Royals line-up. He said that when the teenager starts attacking during the Powerplay, other batters watching from the other end also feel encouraged to increase their scoring rate.
The comments underline the impression Sooryavanshi has made on teammates who have watched his rapid development at close quarters.
Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been unusually quick. Rajasthan Royals secured him for ₹1.1 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, when he became the youngest player bought in IPL history. He subsequently made his IPL debut and continued to attract attention with his aggressive batting. The official IPL profile records his birth date as March 27, 2011.
His performances in IPL 2026 further accelerated his rise. Sooryavanshi finished the season with 776 runs in 16 matches, while also recording 72 sixes. He also became the fastest player to reach 1,000 IPL runs in terms of deliveries faced, according to an NDTV Sports report.
The teenager’s progress subsequently extended to international cricket. He made his T20I debut on India’s tour of England in July 2026. His first international series produced scores of 14, 13 and 15.
He then made a significant impact against Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10. His campaign included a 19-ball half-century in the opening match and an unbeaten-style attacking contribution of 81 from 49 balls in the third T20I. India won the series 3-0, while Sooryavanshi was named both Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Series.
Sanju Samson returns to the equation
Despite Sooryavanshi’s performances, his place in India’s immediate playing XI remains subject to team selection.
During India’s subsequent T20I series against Afghanistan, Sooryavanshi was part of the squad but did not feature in the playing XI. Sanju Samson returned to the opening combination alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Samson’s return meant that Sooryavanshi had to wait for another opportunity despite his impressive international start. The selection situation has naturally prompted discussion about how India could manage its options at the top of the order.
The teenager has, however, been included in India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games. His presence gives the team another young batting option while also providing him with an opportunity to continue gaining experience in international cricket.
Jurel highlights Sooryavanshi’s impact
For Jurel, the most notable aspect of Sooryavanshi’s batting is not simply the number of runs he scores but the manner in which he approaches the Powerplay.
Jurel said the youngster keeps attacking from the beginning, creating an environment in which the other batters also feel encouraged to take the initiative.
That aggressive approach has been a defining feature of Sooryavanshi’s rise. His performances for Rajasthan Royals, India Under-19 and India have come in different conditions, while his ability to score quickly has remained a consistent feature of his game.
His Zimbabwe series was another indication of that approach. The 151 runs came at a strike rate of 196.10, showing the speed at which he converted opportunities into runs.
A teenager still developing
While the attention around Sooryavanshi has grown rapidly, he remains at an early stage of his senior career. His international experience is still limited, and India’s crowded pool of T20 batting options means regular selection cannot be assumed.
Jurel’s comments therefore provide an insight into how teammates view the youngster rather than a prediction about his future place in the Indian team.
For now, Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking IPL performances and strong start in international cricket have established him as one of India’s most closely followed young batters. His performances in the coming assignments will determine how quickly he can turn that early success into a sustained international career.