15-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes 15-ball IPL half-century

Jaipur, moments after the final delivery: Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi marked his 15th birthday by rewriting the record books, racing to a 15-ball half-century to set up an eight-wicket demolition of Chennai Super Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

The teenager, who announced himself last season with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans, needed only 17 deliveries in total for 52, an innings laced with five sixes and four fours. His assault, forged in a 75-run opening stand with India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, propelled Rajasthan to 74 for nought in the powerplay and sealed a chase of 128 with 47 balls to spare.

“I think of defending, but the plan was to decide the game in the powerplay,” Sooryavanshi said after play. “If the bowlers had bowled well in the powerplay then the game might have turned their way, but we went all out in the powerplay.”

The Under-19 World Cup winner credited the Royals’ brains trust for freeing his approach. “They told me to read the situation well and back my game,” he added, singling out coach Kumar Sangakkara and the support staff for their trust in his attacking instincts.

The whirlwind knock was the third fifty-plus score of Sooryavanshi’s eight-match IPL career and underlined why franchises have fast-tracked him into the league’s spotlight.

Rajasthan’s romp followed a disciplined bowling effort that left Chennai reeling at 41 for 4 inside the powerplay. South Africa quick Nandre Burger finished with 2 for 26 to earn player-of-the-match honours, while Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two wickets apiece as Chennai were dismissed for 127 in 19.4 overs.

Royals will now travel to Ahmedabad for a Saturday clash with Gujarat Titans; Chennai return home to face Punjab Kings on Friday.