Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary IPL 2026 campaign continues to draw praise from some of cricket’s biggest names, with former England captain Alastair Cook highlighting one unique quality that sets the 15-year-old apart from even the most accomplished power-hitters in the game. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, David Lloyd, and Liam Livingstone, Cook explained that Sooryavanshi’s ability to react to raw pace rather than rely on premeditated shots is what makes him such a rare talent.

According to Cook, most modern batters, including the best six-hitters in world cricket, look to target specific areas and wait for deliveries that fall into their preferred hitting zones. However, Sooryavanshi appears to operate differently. The former England skipper noted that the Rajasthan Royals sensation is comfortable waiting until the very last moment before reacting to even the fastest deliveries and still manages to dispatch them over the boundary with remarkable ease.

“I think the one thing about it is – there doesn’t seem to be any premeditation,” Alastair Cook said. “Most batsmen, even the best hitters, are literally waiting for that ball to be in their one slot for six. They might have two slots. But with him, you bowl five balls, and he’ll wait for a ball at 99 miles per hour, then react to it and still hit it for six. So cleanly. I think that’s what’s unusual.”

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Sooryavanshi backed up that praise with a record-breaking IPL season. The teenage opener amassed 776 runs at a stunning strike rate of 237.30, smashing 72 sixes and 63 fours to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Michael Vaughan, meanwhile, shared a light-hearted anecdote that revealed the youngster’s carefree personality away from the field. Recalling a conversation with Sooryavanshi during the IPL, Vaughan said he was surprised by the teenager’s simple approach to preparation.

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When asked how he gets ready for matches, Sooryavanshi reportedly replied, “Watching cartoons.” Asked about training, he casually answered “No,” and when questioned about his diet, he simply said, “Everything.”

The exchange left Vaughan amused, describing Sooryavanshi as a refreshing example of a modern cricketer whose fearless batting is matched by an equally relaxed outlook off the field.