Allan Border Sees “Glimpses of Brian Lara” in Rajasthan Royals Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Former Australian captain Allan Border is currently in Mumbai for the International Masters League. During his visit, the 1987 World Cup-winning skipper shared his assessment of 14-year-old Indian batting prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, newly signed by the Rajasthan Royals.

Speaking to Mid-day, Border expressed astonishment at the teenager’s raw power and aggressive stroke play.

“I think Vaibhav is one hell of a player, a great talent,” Border said. “I have never seen any batter at the age of 14 or 15 hitting a cricket ball with so much power.”

The Brian Lara Comparison

Border refrained from making definitive long-term predictions about Sooryavanshi’s transition to Test cricket but noted mechanical similarities to a West Indies legend.

“I cannot 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,” Border observed. “He has a long way to go, but he sure can hit that ball across all parts of the ground.”

While acknowledging the young batter’s ability to access all areas of the field, Border identified a specific technical area requiring attention, stating that Sooryavanshi “must now learn how to tighten his defense.”

Meteoric Rise to the Indian Premier League

Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to secure an Indian Premier League contract when the Rajasthan Royals purchased him for INR 1.10 crore during the mega auction. The acquisition follows a series of record-breaking performances in youth and domestic circuits, correcting early fan projections and rumors regarding his professional timeline.

Prior to his IPL selection, the left-handed batter demonstrated his explosive capability against international youth teams. His century against the Australia U-19 squad highlighted his elite strike rate and bat speed.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Key Career Milestones

Data verified via BCCI and ESPNcricinfo records.

As Sooryavanshi prepares for his inaugural IPL campaign, franchise coaches will likely focus on Border’s advice. Balancing his natural power-hitting with a robust defensive technique will determine his long-term success at the professional level.