Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lights up vs RCB with 78, earns praise from Shashi Tharoor

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s stunning 78 vs RCB earns Shashi Tharoor’s praise

Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up the Indian Premier League on Friday with a breathtaking knock against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, drawing high praise from Shashi Tharoor, who called him a “rare, generational talent”.

The 15-year-old hammered 78 off just 26 balls to guide Rajasthan Royals to a commanding six-wicket win. Chasing 202, the Royals chased down the target in 18 overs, with Sooryavanshi’s 15-ball half-century breaking the contest open.

Dominance beyond his years

Sooryavanshi’s innings was a blend of power and precision. He struck eight fours and seven sixes, with 74 of his 78 runs coming in boundaries, as he dismantled a quality bowling attack with ease.

At just 15, he showed composure and clarity rarely seen at that age, dictating terms from the outset rather than merely reacting to the situation.

Tharoor left impressed

Tharoor followed the innings closely and later took to social media to express his admiration, describing the youngster’s rise as “meteoric”.

He praised Sooryavanshi’s bat speed, timing and raw power, adding that watching him bat felt like witnessing a new phase in the evolution of the game. The Congress MP also noted that he found himself dropping everything just to follow the teenager at the crease.

Taking on top-quality bowling

Sooryavanshi’s knock stood out for his ability to handle both pace and variation. Having already impressed against Jasprit Bumrah earlier in the season, he showed similar authority against Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood tried to cramp him for room, but the youngster responded with ease — carving boundaries and clearing the ropes with minimal effort. A highlight came against Abhinandan Singh, whose yorker-length delivery was whipped into the stands with remarkable bat speed.

A breakout season

Even though he was eventually caught by Virat Kohli, the result was already beyond doubt. Rajasthan Royals were firmly in control by then.

After making an early impact last season, Sooryavanshi has elevated his game further this year. In a format where a strike rate of 200 is considered elite, the teenager is operating well above that mark, underlining his rapid rise in the league.