By Swapneel Deshpande 27 May 2025, 10:14 IST
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has praised 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi after his stunning performance in IPL 2025. The Rajasthan Royals batter smashed a century in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans. This is now the fastest IPL century by an Indian batter.
Suryavanshi’s knock surprised many fans and experts. He hit the ball cleanly and showed no signs of pressure. Steve Waugh, speaking during a media session on JioHotstar, said he was shocked by how easily the teenager hit sixes.
“He had no concept of pressure,” Waugh said. “He played with complete freedom.”
Waugh said he usually doesn’t watch many IPL games. But Suryavanshi’s batting kept him glued to the screen. He said the young batter’s fearless attitude and calmness stood out.
Steve Waugh believes the real test will begin now. He said it won’t be easy for the teenager to maintain this level.
“Can he play with the same energy and freedom again? That’s the challenge,” Waugh added.
The former captain also said that Suryavanshi has talent, strong mental skills, and an inspiring story. He hopes the youngster will succeed.
Waugh also spoke about comparisons between Suryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar. He said people should not compare anyone to Tendulkar.
“Sachin’s century in Perth as a teenager was a rare feat,” he said.
However, Waugh admitted that a 14-year-old scoring a hundred in the IPL was something he never imagined. He said even now it feels unbelievable.
“At 14, I couldn’t even think of playing at that level,” he added.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi will soon travel to England with the India Under-19 team. The team, led by Ayush Mhatre, will play five One-Day matches and two multi-day games. The tour will begin on June 27.
Suryavanshi’s journey has just begun, but he has already made history.
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