“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's latest extraordinary innings was hailed by cricket greats yesterday, as calls grow for the 15-year-old phenomenon to be propelled straight into the senior India team. The teenage opener hit 12 sixes, including three in a row off Australia captain Pat Cummins, before he was out for 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals in Wednesday's playoff win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. 'Yeah, he played pretty well,' said a shell-shocked Cummins, who was launched into the stands four times in all by the left-hander. 'The margins are so small. You miss your yorker by a little bit and he doesn't tend to miss them. So, yeah, fair play.' Sooryavanshi hit seven boundaries in a row to reach 97 off 28 balls. But he was caught in the deep attempting another that would have broken Chris Gayle's record of 30 balls for the fastest IPL century. On the way he smashed the West Indian's 12-year-old record of 59 sixes in a single edition of the IPL. He has cleared the ropes 65 times and is in possession of the Orange Cap for the most runs in the IPL season, with 680 at an average of 45.33. Past master Gayle called Sooryavanshi the IPL's 'new six machine'. 'What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man!' he posted on social media. Sooryavanshi was crestfallen when he was out. But he has a chance for more fireworks against Gujarat Titans in the final playoff match on Friday. The holders Royal Challengers Bengaluru await the winners in Sunday's final. Calls for Sooryavanshi to be fast-tracked into India's team have accelerated since he slammed a 17-ball 52 to start his IPL season. 'He is the best T20 opener in the World... India have to pick him,' former England captain Michael Vaughan said on X on Wednesday. India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded Sooryavanshi's technique calling the innings 'simply spectacular'. 'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's bat swing has been exceptional,' he posted. 'What stands out even more is the way he effortlessly clears his front foot to make room for deliveries targeting his pads. This gives him the freedom to play his natural game.' Comparison with Tendulkar, who made his full international debut aged 16, have been inevitable. But former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik warned against heaping expectation on young shoulders. 'What Vaibhav is doing is very special, but what I don't want the people to do is tag him as the next Sachin because he is just 15 years old,' Karthik said on the Quest Talk podcats. 'I think what Sachin did was extraordinary. Vaibhav's challenges will be completely different.' Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag said he didn't need to offer much advice to the fearless youngster. 'That's the thing we don't have any conversations,' Parag said. 'He likes batting. Just leave him alone, let him go and have fun.'
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