Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden believes India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent, courage and mental strength required to succeed across formats, including in the longer version of the game.
Hayden backed the 15-year-old to develop into a world-class cricketer, rejecting suggestions that Sooryavanshi’s explosive style is better suited only to T20 cricket. The former Australian opener said the youngster’s ability to perform under pressure at such a young age indicates that he possesses several qualities required to make the transition to longer formats.
“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,” Hayden said.
Hayden particularly praised Sooryavanshi for embracing the challenge of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at an age when most youngsters are still developing their game at junior levels.
“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,” he said.
Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise has been one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. At just 15, he recently produced an impressive performance in T20I cricket, scoring 151 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe and earning his maiden Player of the Series award as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep last month.
He had earlier made history during India’s T20I series against England by becoming the youngest player to make his international debut for the country.
His international breakthrough followed a spectacular IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals. Sooryavanshi accumulated 776 runs during the tournament at an extraordinary strike rate of 237.30. His campaign included a century and five half-centuries, helping him finish as the leading run-scorer of the season.
The teenager also broke the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, hitting 72 maximums. His remarkable campaign saw him sweep several individual awards, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes honours.
Hayden, however, acknowledged that despite his extraordinary achievements, Sooryavanshi still has plenty to learn as he adjusts to the demands of senior international cricket.
“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,” Hayden said.
“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. Sooryavanshi’s performances have not been restricted to senior-level cricket. Earlier this year, he enjoyed another outstanding campaign at the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he scored 439 runs and was named Player of the Tournament.
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His success at the Under-19 level, followed by his record-breaking IPL campaign and rapid emergence in international cricket, has placed him firmly among the most closely watched young talents in world cricket.
Hayden’s comments underline the belief that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive batting style does not necessarily limit him to the shortest format. With continued development, improved fitness and the mental adaptability required for longer innings, the teenager could potentially establish himself across all three formats.
For now, Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise continues to generate excitement, with his performances at multiple levels suggesting that Indian cricket may have unearthed a special talent capable of making an impact for years to come.
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