Vaibhav Sooryavanshi called IPL's 'marquee player' by Hayden as teenager outshines Bumrah, Kohli: ‘Brian Lara-like’

Matthew Hayden was impressed with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's backlift and compared it to cricket legend Brian Lara.

Updated on: Apr 24, 2026, 16:11:01 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Matthew Hayden compared Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Brian Lara, calling him the Indian Premier League's 'marquee player'. The Aussie legend was speaking on a YouTube show and was asked about the 15-year-old, who has been in stunning form in IPL 2026. The RR opener is ahead of Virat Kohli (247 runs), is in the Orange Cap race and is in fifth position. He has registered 254 runs in seven matches at an average of 36.29, and he has been striking at 220.86.

Matthew Hayden compared Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Brian Lara. (PTI)

The teenager is RR's highest run-scorer this season, and is behind Shubman Gill (265), Sanju Samson (293), Heinrich Klaasen (320) and Abhishek Sharma (323) in the Orange Cap race. It's not just his age which is grabbing headlines, but also his confident composure against senior pacers like Jasprit Bumrah. Against the veteran Mumbai Indians bowler, he hit a first-ball six and later hit him for another maximum in one over.

Also Read: Matthew Hayden exposes foreign players’ IPL mindset: ‘Think its bigger than international cricket’

‘It’s almost Brian Lara-like'

Meanwhile, his backlift has been one of the defining features of his batting technique, showing both intent and adaptability. Hayden was impressed with the youngster's backlift and compared it to cricket legend Lara.

Speaking on All Over Bar The Cricket, he said, "It's almost Brian, don't shoot me down. It's almost Brian Lara-like, his backlift. You know the way Brian used to sort of really get the thing flying around his body and he's just playing with this freedom that I feel that, is kind of second to none in the competition. I don't think I've ever seen a player, for example, come out and play Jasprit Bumrah as well as what he did. I mean, he hit his first ball for six and it was like, "Sorry, Jasprit. But age aside, this is going to be my day."

Pointing out the pressure piled on the teenager, he revealed, "Almost the opposite actually to what we did the other night with Sai Sudharsan, getting out first ball to the great Jasprit Bumrah. There's a freedom that's connected to that mould. It'll be very interesting to see as the tournament wears on and at what point does youth give way to pressure. The expectations now are massive on him from both Rajasthan Royals' point of view but also just the general competition. He is now the marquee player of the competition."

"He is just writing headlines. Everyone is just super excited about the way he is going about his cricket. When you look at the Orange Cap table, you got Heinrich Klaasen sitting on 280. Shubman Gill sitting on 260. Virat Kohli, he is a blast from the past, and just still killing it with a 247, average of 49 and 157 strike rate. But then you got Sooryavanshi, who is 246 with a strike rate of, wait for this, 236. He is averaging 40 (The Orange Cap standings has changed since then).

"He's got balls of steel as well. He's coming out swinging and every side is going, "Well, how is it that we can control this avalanche?" Because its coming, simple as that. That's what writing the headlines. That's what evokes a nation of 1.4 billion people. Sooryavanshi may be 15 but he's coming at you", he further added.

RR are currently in second position in the table, with five wins and two defeats. Sooryavanshi has been one of the key factors behind their dominant displays. They face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their upcoming IPL 2026 match on Saturday in Jaipur.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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