Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise in cricket continues to attract praise from some of the biggest names in the game. After a record-breaking IPL 2026 season, the young batter has left former players and experts fascinated by both his batting style and his carefree personality.
Speaking on a podcast alongside Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, David Lloyd and Liam Livingstone, England legend Alastair Cook explained what he believes separates Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from other batters, including many experienced professionals.
According to Alastair Cook, most power-hitters tend to anticipate deliveries and look for specific areas where they feel most comfortable attacking. Even the best batters usually rely on one or two preferred scoring zones. However, he believes that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi operates differently. Alastair Cook pointed out that the youngster appears willing to wait until the last possible moment before reacting to a delivery, even when facing extreme pace. His ability to adjust late and still strike the ball cleanly for sixes is what Alastair Cook considers highly unusual.
The praise comes after an extraordinary IPL 2026 campaign in which Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30. During the season, he smashed 72 sixes and 63 fours, further strengthening his reputation as one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. He already holds several IPL records as the youngest player to achieve them and is widely expected to make his India debut before winter.
During the same discussion, Michael Vaughan shared a light-hearted story that highlighted another side of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s personality. Vaughan recalled meeting the youngster in Mumbai during the IPL season ahead of a crucial match between Rajasthan and Mumbai, with playoff qualification at stake.
Curious about his preparation, Michael Vaughan asked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi how he gets ready for games. The teenager’s relaxed responses left the former England captain amused. Instead of talking about intense training routines or strict diets, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reportedly mentioned spending time watching cartoons, said he was not training at that moment, and joked that he eats everything.
Michael Vaughan suggested that the exchange perfectly captured the modern young cricketer — relaxed, uncomplicated and fearless. While many players obsess over preparation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi seems content keeping things simple and letting his performances do the talking.
