new delhi, April 26
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to grab attention with another explosive century in the Indian Premier League 2026, earning praise from Pat Cummins, who described the 15-year-old as his “new favourite player” after a high-scoring clash.
Speaking after the match, Cummins lauded the young batter’s fearless style and striking ability. He said Sooryavanshi’s power-hitting and confidence make him exciting to watch, adding that bowlers need to be precise against him or risk being punished. The Sunrisers Hyderabad captain noted that the teenager has made a remarkable start to his career and admired the way he takes on the game without hesitation.
Despite Sooryavanshi’s fireworks, Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged victorious in the contest. Cummins, who was returning after a lengthy injury layoff, also delivered an impressive performance with the ball. However, he faced an early challenge when Sooryavanshi smashed his very first delivery for a six over mid-wicket, immediately putting pressure on the bowler. Cummins recovered well after the initial setback and finished with figures of 1 for 27. After conceding 11 runs in his opening over, he tightened his bowling and maintained control in the later stages, giving away just seven runs in his final two overs. His disciplined spell included a precise yorker that led to the dismissal of Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals.
Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, continued his rapid rise with a stunning century off just 36 balls. He reached his half-century in only 15 deliveries, underlining his aggressive approach and ability to dominate even experienced bowlers. His innings once again showcased his confidence and adaptability at the highest level of franchise cricket. Reflecting on his return, Cummins expressed satisfaction with how he settled back into rhythm after months away from competitive action. He admitted there was some uncertainty about how his first game would unfold but was pleased with his overall performance. He also highlighted the dynamic nature of the IPL, noting that players must constantly adapt to different match situations.
The match itself turned into a high-scoring contest, driven by aggressive batting from both sides. Chasing a challenging target of 229, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured victory with key contributions from Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan after an early setback. Their efforts helped the team maintain momentum and complete the chase successfully.
With this win, Sunrisers Hyderabad climbed to third place on the points table, strengthening their position in the tournament. While the result went in favour of Cummins’ side, Sooryavanshi’s remarkable innings ensured he remained the standout performer of the match, continuing to capture attention with his fearless brand of cricket.
