Kamal Ghorui
Former Australian captain Allan Border is currently in Mumbai as part of his India visit linked to the International Masters League, and the trip has also brought back memories of one of the defining milestones of his career. Border, who famously led Australia to the 1987 Cricket World Cup title, looked back at his journey but also turned his attention to a rising name in Indian cricket.Speaking in an interaction with Mid-day, Border was asked about Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who at just 14 has already made a strong impression with his fearless hitting and raw power.
“I think Vaibhav’s one hell of a player, a great talent. I have never seen any batter at the age of 14 or 15, hitting a cricket ball with so much of power,” said Allan Border.The emphasis in Border’s praise was clear. It wasn’t just about age or hype, but the extraordinary force with which Sooryavanshi is striking the ball. Coming from a former World Cup-winning captain, the remark highlights how unusual the teenager’s hitting ability appears even at this early stage.At the same time, Border avoided making long-term predictions about the youngster’s future.“Of course, I can’t predict at this moment if he will go on to become a very successful Test cricketer or not, but I can clearly see glimpses of Brian Lara in him. He has a long way to go, but he sure can hit that ball across all parts of the ground,” assessed Border.While the comparison to Lara will naturally attract attention, Border’s observation was more about batting traits than placing expectations. He pointed to Sooryavanshi’s range of shots and ability to access different parts of the ground, rather than drawing a direct parallel in stature.However, Border also made it clear where the youngster must improve next.“Vaibhav must now learn how to tighten his defence.”It was a short but significant assessment. While Sooryavanshi’s power-hitting has already set him apart, developing a stronger defensive game will be crucial if he is to build a long and adaptable career.So far, the numbers underline his explosive impact. Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs in six matches at an average of 41 and a blistering strike rate of 236.54, placing him among the top five run-getters in IPL 2026. He has also smashed 44 sixes since his IPL debut, more than any other player in that period.The early signs are electric, but as Border pointed out, the next step will be about balance and turning raw power into complete batting substance.
