Vaibhav Sooryavanshi creating 'Gayle-level fear', says Pathan as 59-sixes record nears
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 93 off 38 balls, including 10 sixes, kept Rajasthan Royals' playoff hopes alive. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded the 15-year-old's maturity and off-side play, comparing his fear factor among bowlers to Chris Gayle's peak. Sooryavanshi is now threatening Gayle's IPL record of 59 sixes in a season.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has showered massive praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the youngster is creating the same fear among bowlers that legendary T20 powerhouse Chris Gayle once did during his peak years. Pathan also believes Sooryavanshi is now genuinely threatening Gayle’s long-standing IPL record of 59 sixes in a single season. Rajasthan Royals kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, thanks to another breathtaking innings from the 15-year-old prodigy.
Chasing a daunting target of 221, Sooryavanshi unleashed complete carnage, smashing 93 off just 38 balls, including seven fours and 10 towering sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 244. 74. The explosive knock also helped him script history as the first Indian batter ever to hit 50 sixes in a single IPL season.
Earlier in the evening, LSG had posted a massive 220/5 after a dominant opening partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. Marsh hammered 96 off 57 deliveries, while Inglis blasted 60 off just 29 balls. Yash Raj Punia emerged as the pick of the RR bowlers with figures of 2/35.
During the chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal provided early momentum, while Sooryavanshi started cautiously, scoring only five runs from his first 10 balls. But once he settled in, the teenager completely took over the contest, smashing 24 runs in one over against Akash Singh and racing to a stunning 23-ball half-century. Also read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reveals real reason behind viral 'A' celebration after LSG blitz Speaking after the match, Pathan highlighted the maturity and improved range in Sooryavanshi’s batting as the most impressive aspect of his innings.