New Chandigarh: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his breathtaking 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The 15-year-old’s extraordinary innings, laced with 12 sixes and five boundaries, has taken the cricketing world by storm and drawn admiration from some of the biggest names in the sport.
Sooryavanshi’s explosive knock, played at a staggering strike rate of over 334, not only powered Rajasthan Royals to a commanding total of 242 for 8 but also saw him break multiple long-standing records in the Indian Premier League.
Tendulkar highlights technical brilliance
In his reaction shared on social media, Tendulkar highlighted the youngster’s technical strengths, particularly his bat swing and footwork. The Master Blaster noted how Sooryavanshi’s ability to clear his front foot gives him the freedom to generate immense power, especially on deliveries aimed at his legs.
“His bat swing has been outstanding. What’s even more remarkable is how beautifully he clears his front foot to create room. This freedom allows him to play the way he does. That innings was nothing short of spectacular,” Tendulkar wrote.
The praise from one of cricket’s greatest-ever batters is being seen as a significant endorsement of Sooryavanshi’s immense potential and evolving technique at such a young age.
‘Boss baby’ breaks ‘Universe Boss’ record
The teenager’s innings also saw him surpass Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a T20 tournament, taking his tally to 65 sixes this season. Reacting to the milestone, Tendulkar added a playful remark, calling him “Boss baby” who has broken the “Universe Boss” record — Gayle’s famous nickname.
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif also joined in the praise, describing Sooryavanshi as a “miracle” and a “future star”. Kaif noted that the youngster’s fearless approach and consistent performances signal a bright future for Indian cricket.
Records tumble in historic innings
Sooryavanshi’s 29-ball 97 has been widely regarded as one of the greatest knocks in IPL playoff history. During the innings, he equalled Gayle’s record for the most instances of hitting 10 or more sixes in an IPL innings, achieving the feat for the fourth time. Remarkably, three of these performances have come in the current season, making him the first player to register three such innings in a single edition.
He also broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing record for most sixes in the powerplay, smashing eight sixes within the first six overs. Additionally, Sooryavanshi now holds the record for the most runs scored in the powerplay during an IPL season, with 490 runs, surpassing David Warner’s previous mark of 467 runs in 2016.
The innings saw him join elite company alongside Suresh Raina and Adam Gilchrist for scoring a fifty-plus total in the powerplay during an IPL knockout match. His 16-ball half-century also equalled Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoff history.
Season of dominance for young prodigy
The IPL 2026 season has been a breakthrough campaign for Sooryavanshi. In 15 innings, he has amassed 680 runs at an impressive average of 45.33 and a phenomenal strike rate of 242.85. His tally includes one century and four fifties, with a highest score of 103.
Notably, he has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes in just 280 balls, reflecting his aggressive yet effective batting style. His balls-per-boundary ratio of 2.3 and balls-per-six ratio of 4.3 underline his dominance over bowlers throughout the tournament.
He has also become the highest run-scorer among uncapped players in a single IPL season, surpassing teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal’s previous record of 625 runs in 2023. Furthermore, he is now the youngest player to cross the 600-run mark in an IPL season.
Match summary and key contributions
After being put in to bat, Rajasthan Royals posted a formidable total of 242 for 8 in 20 overs. While Sooryavanshi led the charge, Dhruv Jurel provided crucial support with a rapid 50 off 21 balls.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Praful Hinge was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 54 runs. Despite their efforts, the bowlers struggled to contain the relentless assault from Rajasthan’s batting lineup.
Conclusion
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s remarkable innings has not only earned him praise from icons like Sachin Tendulkar but also signalled the arrival of a generational talent. At just 15, he has already rewritten record books and demonstrated the temperament needed for high-pressure situations. As accolades continue to pour in, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see how this young star shapes the future of Indian cricket.