Matthew Hayden praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on a YouTube show, comparing him to Brian Lara and calling him the Indian Premier League’s ‘marquee player’. Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener, has been in exceptional form in IPL 2026, scoring 254 runs in seven matches at an average of 36.29 and a strike rate of 220.86. Hayden commended Sooryavanshi’s confident composure against senior pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting his impressive backlift technique reminiscent of Lara.
Sooryavanshi is currently the leading run-scorer for RR this season and is fifth in the Orange Cap race. Hayden emphasized the pressure on the young talent as expectations continue to rise. RR, with Sooryavanshi as a key player, is in second place in the table with five wins and two defeats. They are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next match.
Hayden expressed admiration for Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach to the game, stating that he is a player who is making headlines and captivating a nation of 1.4 billion people. The young cricketer’s aggressive style and impressive performances have made him a standout player in the tournament.
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