'Someone is 14, another is 17': Shikhar Dhawan lauds Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre for their impressive performance in IPL 2025

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan lavished praise on Rajasthan Royals (RR) young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) youngster Ayush Mhatre for their impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Featuring for RR, Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the limelight, smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans and with that he becomes the youngest ever cricketer to score a century in the tournament. Dhawan lauded the 14-year-old star for his fearless cricket against the Shubman Gill-led side.

“It’s a great performance indeed, the way he batted was just phenomenal. The big thing is not that he is just 14, the greater thing in that is his self-confidence at such a tender age,” said Dhawan on the sidelines of the Intercontinental Legends Championship (ILC) launch.

The 14-year-old hailing from Bihar's Samastipur smashed 11 sixes and seven fours, accumulating 94 of his 101 runs in boundaries. With that ton, he broke Yusuf Pathan’s 15-year-old record of a 37-ball hundred against Mumbai Indians.

ALSO READ: Mary Kom confirms divorce with Karung Onkholer, India's Olympic medallist pugilist lashes out at fake news regarding extramarital affair

“The way he dominated the bowlers that night who have a name in international cricket is a great achievement indeed…the country should be proud and it will inspire other youngsters in the country,” Dhawan said.

Dhawan, who was the first ever player to smash back-to-back centuries in the IPL, was also impressed with CSK's young batter Ayush Mhatre, who has made a mark this season.

ALSO READ: Karun Nair to return but Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel still on sidelines as BCCI shortlists 35 players for England Test series: Report

“It is great to see these players—someone is 14, another is 17—playing in the Indian Premier League. To see these boys achieve success at such a young age is great to see,” said Dhawan.

Dhawan also condemned the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, expressing heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and backing the government's response.

“I have no words for what happened in Pahalgam… I have full faith in our government that they’ll be planning something to counter this. I have my full condolences with the families of the victims. It was heart-wrenching indeed,” said Dhawan.

The Intercontinental Legends Championship is scheduled to start from May 27 and the final will be played on June 5. Six teams will participate in the tournament - India Warriors, Asian Kings, Euro Gladiators, Trans Titans, African Lions and American Strikers.