RR's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hailed as a 'Lamine Yamal level talent' after 36-ball ton against SRH

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to smash records at just 15 years of age. After starring in India's U-19 World Cup triumph in Zimbabwe in February with a scintillating 175 in the final, the opening batter from Bihar is highlighting the fact that his explosive debut in the Indian Premier League last year was by no means a one-off.

The Rajasthan Royals opener, after all, is among the leading run-scorers in the ongoing season, and has even had possession of the 'Orange Cap' on a couple of occasions. The southpaw has plundered 357 runs so far this season at an average and strike rate of 44.63 and 234.86 respectively, which includes a 37-ball 103 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur on Saturday.

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Sooryavanshi had struck a 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans in just his third IPL appearance last year and took just one additional delivery to reach the milestone against the Sunrisers in the first game of the season at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

And despite the fact that his century went in vain, much like Delhi Capitals' KL Rahul against Punjab Kings earlier in the day, the teenager remained a key highlight for experts from the game.

Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin, for one, revealed that his parents are now fans of the rising star, who has taken cricket by storm ever since he was acquired by the Royals for Rs 1.1 crore in the 2024 mega auction.

"I watch every Rajasthan Royals game with Mom and Dad. Man, I’m telling you, they are massive Vaibhav Suryavanshi fans. I’ve never seen my father admire anyone the way he admires Vaibhav. With every shot, he gets so excited and says, ‘What a shot! Oh amazing! What a player!’ Mom keeps saying, ‘Look at his chubby cheeks!’ and ‘Look at that celebration!’ She just loves watching this young kid," the former RR off-spinner said on the 'Ash Ki Baat show on YouTube.

Cummins calls Sooryavanshi his 'new favourite player'

SRH captain Pat Cummins, who led his team to a five-wicket victory in his first appearance of the season, couldn't help but express admiration for the youngster after the match, calling him his "new favourite player".

"I think he’s my new favourite player. He hits the ball so hard, it’s great to watch, it’s good fun. You’ve got to be right on the money as a bowler cause (otherwise) it’s going a long way," Cummins said during the post-match press conference.

"He’s impressive. He’s had a great start to his career. I like the way he plays and takes the game on," the Australian Test and ODI captain added.

England keeper-batter Sam Billings, who has represented multiple IPL franchises including Chennai Super Kings in the past, described Sooryavanshi as the "best 15 year old ever in any professional sport".

"Is Sooryavanshi the best 15 year old ever in any professional sport? Truly remarkable what he is doing!!!!

"We’re watching Lamine Yamal level talent!" Billings wrote on X following Sooryavanshi's ton.

Sooryavanshi's ton had propelled RR to 228/6 after they were invited to bat by SRH. The Sunrisers, however, chased the target down with nine deliveries to spare thanks to half-centuries from Ishan Kishan (74 off 31) and Abhishek Sharma (57 off 29) – the latter replacing Sooryavanshi as the 'Orange Cap' holder as a result.