12 August,2026 06:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Matthew Hayden and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (File pic)
Former Australian opening batter Matthew Hayden has expressed confidence in 15-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying that the young batter possesses the attributes required to succeed across both limited-overs and long-form cricket.
Speaking to ANI, Hayden lauded the teenager's courage, mental fortitude, and ability to perform under high pressure during the Indian Premier League (IPL), describing him as a player with all the components to reach world-class status.
Sooryavanshi recently enjoyed a stellar T20I campaign against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs over three matches to earn his first Player of the Series award during India's 3-0 sweep last month. Before that, during the T20I series against England, he became the youngest player ever to represent India in international cricket.
"Some people say he may be a short-format player only, but I personally disagree. I believe Vaibhav has the potential to succeed in the longer format of the game as well. Fitness is certainly one part of that, but more than anything, it's about mental strength. One of the things I love about Vaibhav is that, at just 15, he had the courage and commitment to take on a major, show-stopping, blockbuster tournament like the IPL, and not just participate, but thrive in it. That tells me he has many of the right ingredients to become a world-class player," Hayden said.
Hayden was impressed by Sooravanshi's rapid rise to stardom but added that staying at the highest level will require continuous results.
"Vaibhav has an immense pool of talent, and we've all been incredibly excited, whether as broadcasters or coaches, to watch his development. But, as he's found out, at the very highest level, there's still work to do, and I'm sure he'll embrace that. He's a terrific young player with outstanding potential, and ultimately, it will be up to him how he wants to shape his career," he added.
The youngster's international call-up followed a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, where he finished as the tournament's top run-scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30.
Earlier in the year, Sooryavanshi also dominated the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup, scoring 439 runs and claiming the Player of the Tournament award to cap off a brilliant rise.
(With inputs from ANI)
