‘He smashed us’ - Mayank Yadav recounts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering knock against LSG

It was only a matter of time before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showcased his calibre on the international stage, and he did so against Zimbabwe in the first of the three‑match T20I series in Harare on July 23.

Sooryavanshi took no prisoners against the Chevrons, racing to an 18‑ball fifty that helped India chase down their target of 126 with ease. The 15‑year‑old became the youngest half‑centurion in T20Is and in men’s internationals.

He hammered four boundaries and as many sixes in his 19‑ball 50 at a strike rate of 263.15, leaving the Zimbabwe attack clueless in front of their home supporters at the Harare Sports Club.

Sooryavanshi’s quick‑fire fifty reminded Mayank Yadav of match No. 64 of IPL 2026, when Rajasthan Royals (RR) hosted Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

On that occasion, Sooryavanshi tore LSG’s attack apart, smashing a 38‑ball 93 laced with seven fours and 10 sixes at a jaw‑dropping strike rate of 244.74. Mayank himself was on the receiving end of the southpaw’s brutal hitting, conceding 50 runs at an economy rate of 12.50 without taking a wicket.

“His batting is unbelievable,” Mayank said after being adjudged the Player of the Match against Zimbabwe with figures of 2/18. “When I bowled to him, he played shots you wouldn’t expect a young player with so little experience to play. Watching him bat is always a treat.

“The talent he has at this age is fabulous. I never imagined some 15‑year‑old would come and smash everyone like that. It is a great feeling to have him in my team, especially because in the IPL, when we played against them [RR], he smashed us.”

Sooryavanshi has put his string of low scores (14, 13 and 15) behind him, which came in his debut series against England. His next hit in the middle will come when India meet Zimbabwe in the second T20I on July 25.