India’s wonderkid, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has earned rich praise from former Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal after his heroics in the IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
Rajasthan opened their campaign wth a comprehensive eight-wicket win against Chennai at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, March 30. Chasing a modest target of 128, Suryavanshi took the Chennai bowlers to the cleaners with his mesmerising display of brute power and ruthless aggression.
The 15-year-old brought up his half-century in just 15 balls, making the hard-hitting Yashasvi Jaiswal play second fiddle.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal opined that Suryavanshi would make his international debut very soon.
“In just 8 IPL games, he has been piling records – he already has a hundred. I think in the coming international games for India, he will get a chance after IPL. He will become a young player of the T20 international team. He has proved himself in every place. If he continues to perform, he will definitely get the chance,” Akmal said on ‘The Game Plan’ YouTube channel.
Akmal also mentioned that Suryavanshi’s game awareness impressed him, adding that bowlers in a decade could be left bamboozled, wondering how to stop him from scoring if he continues in the same vein.
“His presence of mind, game awareness, the way he plays – he has a counter to everything at such a young age. This is remarkable … We are discussing his performance more because it was a match of 128. But his performance is visible because he scored 50 runs on 15 balls. His family and his father should be proud – the way he has worked with him, the way the others, too, like coaches who have taught him in school cricket, in club cricket…I am afraid – when he is 25, the bowlers will not know what to do with him,” he added.
One Bablu dominated everyone: Basit Ali
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali had a light-hearted take on the batting prodigy’s prowess, as he stated that during the Royals versus Super Kings clash, he felt like “ek bablu sabpe bhari” (one kid domination everyone).
[Watch] Spectators get into heated brawl amid LSG v DC clash
“They (Rajasthan Royals) chased down 128 comfortably. Suryavanshi smashed 50 off just 15 balls-what an innings, he clearly showed his form. Jaiswal remained not out on 37, as Bablu (Suryavanshi) was doing all the damage from the other end. One Bablu dominated everyone – that’s exactly how it felt in yesterday’s (RR vs CSK) match,” said Basit.
