Mumbai: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has showered praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting a rare quality in the youngster’s batting that he believes even West Indies legend Brian Lara would have admired.
Sooryavanshi, just 15, has been one of the standout performers of IPL 2026, combining consistency with explosive strokeplay. With 400 runs in nine matches at an average of 44.44, he currently holds the Orange Cap and has emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals.
‘Power that packs a punch’
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik pointed out that while Lara was a batting genius, Sooryavanshi’s ability to generate sheer power makes him unique.
“Brian Lara would have been pleased had he had Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s power-hitting. He was a genius, but his backlift was slightly different. When Sooryavanshi brings the bat down, he generates a lot of power. His head is also so still. He just packs a punch,” Karthik explained.
The comparison underscores the youngster’s technical strength — a stable head position combined with exceptional bat speed, allowing him to hit big without extravagant follow-throughs.
Sehwag-like fearlessness
Karthik, however, drew a closer parallel with former India opener Virender Sehwag, particularly in terms of mindset.
According to him, Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach against top bowlers mirrors Sehwag’s iconic style of taking on the best without hesitation.
“The bigger the bowler, the more Sehwag wanted to dominate. This kid is similar. Whether it’s Hazlewood, Bumrah or Narine, he looks ready to take them all on,” Karthik said.
This ability to stay unfazed by reputation has been a defining trait of Sooryavanshi’s breakout season.
Consistency meets explosiveness
What sets Sooryavanshi apart is not just aggression but consistency — a rare combination for a player so young.
His scores this season read: 52, 31, 39, 78, 0, 46, 8, 103 and 43 — numbers that reflect both reliability and match-winning ability.
He became the first player to cross the 400-run mark in IPL 2026, registering one century and two half-centuries so far.
In his most recent outing, he smashed a blistering 43 off just 16 balls against Punjab Kings, underlining his ability to accelerate at will.
A rising star for the future
Sooryavanshi’s performances have not only strengthened Rajasthan Royals’ campaign but also sparked excitement about India’s next generation of batting talent.
At just 15, his composure, power, and fearless mindset suggest a player well ahead of his years — one who is already drawing comparisons with some of the game’s greats.
If his current trajectory continues, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could soon move from being a promising prodigy to one of the defining stars of modern T20 cricket.