Jaipur, April 26: Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins heaped praise on 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, calling the teenage prodigy his 'new favourite player' after a thrilling IPL 2026 encounter in Jaipur. Despite leading SRH to a crucial victory over Rajasthan Royals, Cummins could not help but marvel at the youngster's explosive batting display. The Australian captain's comments have amplified the growing global buzz around one of Indian cricket's most electrifying young talents.

Suryavanshi's Historic Century Stuns SRH Camp

Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a jaw-dropping century off just 36 balls — one of the fastest in IPL history — reaching his half-century in a breathtaking 15 deliveries. The teenager from Bihar, who only recently turned 15, showed no fear against a world-class bowling attack, treating the occasion as just another game in the backyard.

Suryavanshi's innings began with a statement — he dispatched Cummins' very first delivery for a massive six over mid-wicket. That single shot set the tone for an unforgettable evening that left even his opponents applauding in disbelief.

Cummins Opens Up on Suryavanshi's Impact

Speaking candidly after the match, Pat Cummins did not hold back his admiration. "I think he's my new favourite player," Cummins said. "He hits the ball so hard, it's great to watch, it's good fun. You've got to be right on the money as a bowler because if you're not, it's going a long way. He's impressive, he's had a great start to his career and I like the way he plays — he takes the game on."

The praise from a seasoned international captain of Cummins' calibre underscores just how extraordinary Suryavanshi's emergence has been. In a tournament packed with global superstars, a 15-year-old from a small town is commanding the spotlight.

Cummins' Comeback: From Injury to Match-Winning Performance

Pat Cummins was playing his first competitive game after nearly 10 months on the sidelines due to a persistent back injury that disrupted his Ashes campaign. His return was briefly interrupted only by a stellar six-wicket haul in the Adelaide Ashes Test.

Despite conceding 11 runs in his opening over — largely due to Suryavanshi's assault — Cummins regrouped impressively. He finished the night with figures of 1-27, conceding just 7 runs across his final two overs. A perfectly executed yorker to dismiss Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was the highlight of his bowling spell, a delivery that will have reassured Cricket Australia's selectors watching from afar.

"I'm really happy. I was never quite sure how it would play out in the first game," Cummins admitted. "I pick it up better than I did 10 years ago. The IPL's fun. You always have to change the fields and use the bowlers. The batters constantly make you think. So, I enjoyed it — it felt pretty natural."

Bowlers Under Siege: Cummins on IPL 2026's High-Scoring Culture

This IPL 2026 season has been particularly brutal for bowlers, with high-scoring encounters becoming the norm rather than the exception. Cummins acknowledged the challenge but approached it with characteristic calm and even a touch of humour.

"I guess you just work on your batting," he joked. "It's a good challenge. You might have a bad couple of overs, but if you come back and bowl a really good death over, that can win the match. I actually think it somewhat takes the pressure off us bowlers, knowing our batting lineup can chase down whatever."

He added that the flat pitches demand a different mental framework. "The wickets might be flat, but it's only 20 overs — it's not a Test match that lasts five days. You feel like all four overs are super important. One wicket or one solid over can be as crucial as a good spell in a lower-scoring game."

SRH Chase Down 229, Move to Third on Points Table

Chasing a stiff target of 229 runs, Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered an early setback when Travis Head fell cheaply to Jofra Archer's sharp bowling. However, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan steadied the ship and powered SRH to a vital victory, propelling the team to third place on the IPL 2026 points table.

The win was particularly significant for SRH, who are building momentum at a crucial juncture of the tournament. With Cummins back to full fitness and the batting lineup firing on all cylinders, Sunrisers Hyderabad look well-placed for a deep playoff run.

As IPL 2026 enters its business end, all eyes will remain on Vaibhav Suryavanshi — a teenager who is rewriting record books and winning admirers across dressing rooms. Whether Rajasthan Royals can recalibrate around their young star and whether SRH can sustain their winning run will be among the most compelling storylines to watch in the weeks ahead.