Sooryavanshi scored 45 off 19 balls in the third T20I against New Zealand.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja lauded teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his explosive batting performance in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday (October 27).
India began the chase of 199 in an aggressive manner, with Sooryavanshi and Abhisek Sharma scoring 26 runs in the opening over bowled by Jacob Duffy. The pair continued their assault, taking the tourists to the highest Powerplay total in men's T20I history -- 118/0.
While Sooryavanshi fell after scoring 45 off 19 balls, Abhisek continued his carnage and went on to smash 113 runs off just 38 deliveries. Thanks to their jaw-dropping batting display, the visitors overhauled the target in 13.2 overs.
After the game, Jadeja compared Sooryavanshi's fearless approach and immediate impact to that of a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar entering international cricket. He noted that the youngster's uninhibited, almost "childish" freedom allows him to play high-risk shots—like hitting a massive six over point early in his innings—without the cautious hesitation typically seen in experienced players.
Even though Sooryavanshi didn't score a century, Jadeja emphasized that his psychological impact on the match and his partners at the crease cannot be fully measured by numbers alone.
"He hit a huge six over point on the second or third ball itself. One reason you feel happy is because of his age, and that's the strength because of which he is able to do this. Abhishek Sharma said what he was thinking about, that it was swinging and that he spoke to everyone. That childishness makes him special, and that's why he has fans all over the world because he is doing things differently," Jadeja said during a discussion on Sony Sports.
"He didn't score a century today. When Tendulkar came to play as a 16-year-old, his style was totally different from his seniors. Only a young player can make that impact. An experienced player walks slightly cautiously. You see his impact on the team as well. You won't see that impact in numbers, but those watching the match are seeing that impact. If he is playing like this, how can the player at the other end stop?" Jadeja added.
In the same discussion, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane opined that Vaibhav's fearlessness—specifically hitting his very first ball over mid-on—rubbed off heavily on his opening partner, Abhishek, injecting him with immediate confidence early in the innings.
"I felt Abhishek gained confidence after watching him - the first ball he hit over mid-on. Abhishek even said that he got confidence after watching Vaibhav. The first good thing was that he got a chance to open," Rahane said.
Rahane was happy to see Sooryavanshi opening the innings for India. Replacing injured Ishan Kishan in the playing XI, the teenage was sent to bat at No. 3 in the second T20I in Christchurch. The move was widely questioned by cricket analysts, as he was dismissed for just 4 runs and looked out of his natural element.
"He is 15 years old and had never played at No. 3. So it was good that he came to open and the way he scored runs. One feels happy watching him, but one felt happier today because of the confidence with which he played. He has always had the intent. The happiness the fans got, we will keep seeing that in the upcoming years," Rahane remarked.
With this victory in Wellington, India gained an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-T20I series. The penultimate match will be played in Auckland on Friday (October 30).