Former South Africa great and IPL legend AB de Villiers has lavished praise on Rajasthan Royals teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the 15-year-old produced one of the most explosive innings in IPL playoff history during the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sooryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls in the high-pressure knockout clash, powering Rajasthan Royals to a commanding total before they sealed a dominant 47-run victory to book a place in Qualifier 2.

While the innings was packed with brutal six-hitting and fearless strokeplay, de Villiers revealed that what impressed him most was the youngster’s composure and tactical awareness under pressure. Speaking on JioStar, AB de Villiers said Sooryavanshi’s maturity stood out despite facing an experienced SRH bowling attack led by Pat Cummins.

“What stood out most about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s innings was his composure and clarity under pressure at just 15 years of age. Pat Cummins and Sunrisers Hyderabad kept trying different plans, constantly changing the field and mixing their lengths to disrupt his rhythm, but he stayed completely locked into his own bubble throughout the innings. That level of game awareness in a knockout match is remarkable for someone so young,” AB de Villiers said.

ALSO READ: “Ignore the Haters” – Andre Russell Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After SRH Carnage

The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar explained how SRH repeatedly altered their tactics, yet the teenage opener looked prepared for every challenge thrown at him. Whether it was short-pitched bowling, yorkers, or changes in field placements, Sooryavanshi continued to dominate all parts of the ground with complete authority.

“Whether they bowled short or tried to surprise him with fuller deliveries, he seemed prepared for every plan and was in control against all of them. Scoring 97 off just 29 balls in an Eliminator while dominating all areas of the ground was an extraordinary display of fearless batting,” AB de Villiers added.

The Proteas legend also praised Sooryavanshi’s understanding of preparation and mental routines at such a young age. According to de Villiers, the RR opener already displays habits typically associated with elite international cricketers.

“What’s most impressive is the clarity he already has around preparation and routines. Hearing him speak about visualising match-ups, studying bowlers and mentally preparing before games shows unusual maturity for a 15-year-old,” he stated.

De Villiers even compared Sooryavanshi’s preparation methods to legendary Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who was known for his strong visualisation techniques during his career.

ALSO READ: Jacob Bethell Likely To Feature In England’s Lord’s Test Against New Zealand

“It reminded me a little of Matthew Hayden. The best players eventually discover what works authentically for them, and Vaibhav already seems to understand that very early in his journey,” AB de Villiers concluded.

Sooryavanshi’s stunning knock has now taken his IPL 2026 tally to extraordinary levels, further strengthening his reputation as one of the brightest young stars in world cricket. Rajasthan Royals will next face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh, with a place in the IPL 2026 final at stake.