IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has ‘glimpses of Brian Lara’, says legendary cricketer
Legendary Australian cricketer Allan Border, currently in Mumbai, lauded Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, noting his exceptional power-hitting. Border sees glimpses of Brian Lara in the young talent but stresses the importance of developing a stronger defence for a successful career. Sooryavanshi's explosive stats, including a remarkable strike rate and numerous sixes, highlight his immense potential.
Former Australian captain Allan Border is currently in Mumbai as part of his India visit linked to the International Masters League, and the trip has also brought back memories of one of the defining milestones of his career. Border, who famously led Australia to the 1987 Cricket World Cup title, looked back at his journey but also turned his attention to a rising name in Indian cricket. Speaking in an interaction with Mid-day, Border was asked about Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who at just 14 has already made a strong impression with his fearless hitting and raw power.
“I think Vaibhav's one hell of a player, a great talent. I have never seen any batter at the age of 14 or 15, hitting a cricket ball with so much of power,” said Allan Border. The emphasis in Border’s praise was clear.
It wasn’t just about age or hype, but the extraordinary force with which Sooryavanshi is striking the ball. Coming from a former World Cup-winning captain, the remark highlights how unusual the teenager’s hitting ability appears even at this early stage. At the same time, Border avoided making long-term predictions about the youngster’s future.
“Of course, I can't predict at this moment if he will go on to become a very successful Test cricketer or not, but I can clearly see glimpses of Brian Lara in him. He has a long way to go, but he sure can hit that ball across all parts of the ground,” assessed Border. While the comparison to Lara will naturally attract attention, Border’s observation was more about batting traits than placing expectations.