‘Proud moment’! – RR prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi humbled by Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘spectacular’ verdict after SRH masterclass originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Sooryavanshi scored 97 off 29 balls, equalling the fastest fifty in an IPL knockout.
- Sachin Tendulkar lavished praise on his technique after that sensational knock.
- Sooryavanshi called it a matter of great pride as the words came from the ‘God of Cricket’
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not even know Tendulkar had tweeted about his knock against SRH in IPL 2026 Eliminator
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed that he was not aware that Sachin Tendulkar had put out an appreciation tweet after his 97-run knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator in Mullanpur.
He reached his fifty in 16 balls, equalling the record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff match, and smashed 12 sixes, including four off Pat Cummins, who had spoken about special plans to stop the 15-year-old.
MORE: ‘New six machine’: How Gayle, Tendulkar, & the world reacted to Vaibhav’s carnage vs. SRH
Tendulkar took to X after the innings to offer his analysis, praising Sooryavanshi’s bat swing.
He wrote: “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s bat swing has been outstanding. What’s even more remarkable is how beautifully he clears his front foot to create room for balls aimed at his legs. This freedom allows him to play the way he does. That innings was nothing short of spectacular!”
After the dust had settled in Mullanpur and the battle was won against SRH, Sooryavanshi stood in front of BCCI cameras along with Dhruv Jurel. During the conversation, he was asked to react to Tendulkar’s tweet, and the youngster came up with a heartwarming response.
“It feels really good sir. It motivates me. You (Dhruv Jurel) just told me about it. I wasn’t even aware. And of course, everyone knows he’s the ‘God of Cricket’. If he has tweeted something like that, it’s a huge deal for us that a legend like him has tweeted about us. Of course, it’s a moment of pride,” Sooryavanshi said.
MORE: GT vs RR, IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: Can GT bowlers restrict Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
What did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi say about his own innings against SRH?
Sooryavanshi was measured in his reaction after the match, but at the same time, insisted that his self-belief never wavers regardless of the occasion or bowler.
“My self-confidence is always high. I just wanted to give us a good start and carry it through because if the ball is coming nicely onto my bat, the longer I play, the more it benefits the team. That’s all I was thinking about while playing today,” Sooryavanshi said.
MORE: ‘Stop playing the 15-year-old age card!’: Ashwin drops blunt reality check on Sooryavanshi
“I know what kind of game I have. If the team needs me to play a long innings, I can do that. If the team needs sixes, I can do that too. I just try to play according to the situation and back myself.
“A year ago, I didn’t know I would be playing in the IPL so soon. But it feels great that I broke a record. But the focus is on what I can do for the team.”
MORE:’97? WTF’: Did Jofra Archer predict Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 Eliminator heroics a decade ago?
The Cricket News Opinion: Appreciation coming from Tendulkar is an honour
Sooryavanshi set several new records in IPL 2026. He is likely to make many new ones in international cricket in the future. But a tweet from Tendulkar will always remain special.
More importantly, he responded with humility and quiet gratitude rather than excitement, which shows the maturity of the teenager.
Sooryavanshi is fearless with the bat and yet stays humble off the pitch. This is a rare combination, and this amalgamation is what separates him from the pack.
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