Former South Africa captain and IPL icon AB de Villiers has showered praise on Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi after the teenage sensation produced a sensational innings in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The 15-year-old batter delivered one of the most fearless knocks ever seen in an IPL playoff match, hammering 97 runs from just 29 balls to power Rajasthan Royals into Qualifier 2. His breathtaking innings completely changed the momentum of the knockout clash and left cricket experts stunned by his composure at such a young age.
Speaking after the match, De Villiers admitted that what impressed him the most was not merely Suryavanshi’s aggressive strokeplay, but the clarity and maturity he displayed while handling pressure in a high-stakes contest.
AB de Villiers showers praises on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s magical batting
The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar explained how Suryavanshi remained calm despite constant tactical changes from the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers. According to De Villiers, SRH skipper Pat Cummins and his bowling unit kept experimenting with different plans to break the youngster’s rhythm. From changing field placements to mixing yorkers and short-pitched deliveries, Hyderabad tried everything possible to slow him down. However, Suryavanshi appeared completely unfazed throughout his explosive innings.
De Villiers praised the youngster’s remarkable awareness during the chase and highlighted how rare such control is for a player who is only 15 years old. The South African legend noted that the RR opener looked prepared for every bowling strategy thrown at him and never allowed the pressure of the Eliminator to affect his shot selection or intent.
“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,” De Villiers told JioStar.
Notably, Suryavanshi’s fearless approach dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling plans during the powerplay. Rajasthan Royals raced to 125 runs in just eight overs as the teenager launched a brutal assault on the opposition attack. Whether the bowlers targeted him with pace, bouncers or fuller deliveries, the left-handed batter countered every move with confidence and authority. His ability to dominate all areas of the ground left fans and experts in disbelief. The innings included a stunning display of clean hitting, with Suryavanshi smashing towering sixes and attacking some of the best bowlers in the tournament without hesitation.
De Villiers stated that scoring 97 off only 29 deliveries in a pressure-filled knockout game was an extraordinary achievement and further proved why the youngster is already being discussed among the most explosive talents in IPL history.
“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 parts of the ground, was an extraordinary display of fearless batting and showed why he is already being spoken about alongside some of the most explosive players the IPL has seen,” he added.
De Villiers draws comparison with Matthew Hayden
Apart from his batting, De Villiers was equally impressed by Suryavanshi’s approach towards preparation and mental routines before matches. The Proteas great revealed that hearing the youngster speak about visualisation, analysing bowlers and mentally preparing for specific match-ups reflected a level of professionalism rarely seen at such a young age.
Interestingly, De Villiers compared Suryavanshi’s preparation style to legendary Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who was known for using visualisation techniques extensively during his playing career. He explained that while Suryavanshi’s routines may continue evolving with experience, the most important aspect is that the teenager is already developing his own methods rather than blindly copying others.
Following the stunning victory, Rajasthan Royals have now advanced to Qualifier 2, where they will take on the Gujarat Titans for a place in the IPL 2026 final.
