Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has expressed his admiration for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following the young left-handed batter’s explosive performance in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final. Sooryavanshi, born on March 27, 2011, scored 175 runs off 80 balls against England, helping India secure victory in the tournament.
Speaking on Aakash Chopra’s podcast, Jurel reflected on Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise and the impact the teenager is making on Indian cricket. The India player stressed that direct comparisons between himself and the young sensation are not feasible, emphasising the exceptional nature of Sooryavanshi’s performances.
“He deserves all the praise. What he does is something you can’t even dream of. A 15-year-old kid smashing everybody. It’s just WOW. Honestly, there’s no jealousy. There’s no comparison either. What is there to compare?” Jurel said on Aakash Chopra’s podcast.
“It’s beyond comprehension. Comparisons happen when you think you can do something similar. He is too good. An unbelievable kid. We watch in awe, and he makes life easier for us as batters. In the Powerplay, he keeps smashing, and watching him, you feel that if we get a chance, we should also start hitting, because he just keeps smashing,” he added.
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Jurel’s comments highlight the impact Sooryavanshi is having on the Indian dressing room and the broader cricket landscape. The teenager’s aggressive approach in the Powerplay has set a template for other batters, with Jurel noting that watching Sooryavanshi’s performances inspires confidence in the batting unit. Sooryavanshi, a left-handed top order batter and occasional slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has already made a significant mark at the international level despite his age.
Sooryavanshi is currently in Japan with India’s T20I squad for the Asian Games 2026 and is expected to feature in the tournament followed by a five-match T20I series against West Indies in October 2026. Jurel is set to return to action for India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies, with the first match scheduled for September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram.
