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Former India captain Anil Kumble has highly praised teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stating that the young batter possesses the ability to shatter Chris Gayle's historic record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Kumble highlighted that Sooryavanshi's incredible hitting range and mature temperament truly set him apart from other contemporary batters in the tournament.
I can see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaking Gayle's record and making history: Kumble
The 15-year-old opener continued his remarkable, trailblazing run in IPL 2026 with yet another stunning display of power-hitting on Tuesday. His explosive performance guided the Rajasthan Royals to a crucial seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants, successfully keeping his team's playoff hopes alive. With his latest boundary blitz, Sooryavanshi has already smashed an incredible 53 sixes this season. This spectacular feat leaves the prodigy just six maximums away from eclipsing Chris Gayle's long-standing tournament record of 59 sixes in a single IPL edition.
"He has already hit 53 sixes this IPL season. Chris Gayle holds the record for most sixes in a season with 59. RR have one more league game and then the playoffs. If they win, he will get more chances. I can see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaking Gayle's record and making history. (A) very few batters can hit sixes over cover with such ease. But Sooryavanshi did it multiple times against Digvesh Rathi. I am glad people still have words to describe such talent. I am running out of my own vocabulary. This kid is very special. What stands out even more is his mindset. Every time he speaks, he sounds mature beyond his years. That is crucial at this age, especially with all the attention and praise coming his way," Kumble told Star Sports.
Anil Kumble emphasized that despite the massive hype and media attention surrounding the young prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has managed to remain remarkably grounded. Kumble believes that this mature, level-headed approach to overnight stardom is a strong indicator that the teenager is mentally prepared for a long and successful career at the highest level. By maintaining his focus strictly on the game rather than the external noise, Sooryavanshi is demonstrating a temperament that goes far beyond his 15 years. According to Kumble, this psychological resilience, combined with his undeniable physical talent, is exactly what will ensure his longevity in the highly competitive world of cricket.
"He understands that this is just the start. He said it himself after the match: 'This is the start of my journey. If my journey is long enough, I will create a few of these records,'" Kumble added.
Kumble credits Yashasvi Jaiswal for Sooryavanshi's success
Kumble also credited opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal for playing a crucial role in helping the young prodigy settle into the high-pressure run chase. According to Kumble, Jaiswal's presence and guidance at the other end provided Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with the necessary reassurance to find his rhythm early on. By taking the pressure off the teenager during the initial stages, Jaiswal allowed Sooryavanshi to play his natural, explosive game. This supportive partnership not only steadied the innings for the Rajasthan Royals but also created the perfect platform for the 15-year-old to launch his stunning counter-attack.
"In a chase of 220, winning the powerplay is crucial. RR needed a flying start, but Sooryavanshi began a little cautiously. That is when Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up. He took on the bowlers and scored 43 quick runs. Once Sooryavanshi got his eye in, the game changed. He started finding the gaps and clearing the boundaries with ease. It allowed Sooryavanshi to play himself in without worrying about the run rate and once he was set, he tore the bowling attack apart," Kumble concluded.
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