New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) Graeme Smith, the former captain of South Africa and current SA20 Commissioner, has hailed Rajasthan Royals' young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a "proper superstar". He shared his enthusiasm about Sooryavanshi's potential performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

At just 15 years and 12 days old, Sooryavanshi recently made headlines by facing off against the formidable Mumbai Indians at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. During this match, he displayed remarkable courage by hitting a 131.2kph delivery from renowned bowler Jasprit Bumrah into the stands for a maximum.

So far, Sooryavanshi has scored a total of 122 runs in three innings during IPL 2026. Smith commented, “The IPL has unfolded exactly as I anticipated, showcasing flatter pitches and high-scoring matches. While it's always fascinating to see how legendary players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli perform, I believe this young talent from Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is the standout player to follow in these early weeks.”

“He has already demonstrated his capacity to dominate from the first ball. This young player could evolve into a true superstar throughout the tournament, and I’m eagerly looking forward to his journey,” Smith expressed on his blog.

Smith, a key figure in Rajasthan Royals' inaugural IPL championship win in 2008, emphasized how the tournament's robust scouting mechanisms and franchise excellence have transformed the global cricket landscape, providing a framework that has significantly contributed to the success of South Africa's SA20.

“Our six franchises play a vital role in the development of SA20. We have been fortunate to attract six top-tier IPL teams, boasting the most experienced franchise owners globally. They are fiercely competitive, aiming for victory and enhancing the overall standard of cricket and business practices, ranging from coaching to medical services. The IPL franchises possess exceptional scouts who often discover talent outside the conventional pathways,” he elaborated.

“When aiming to rebuild and expand a cricket ecosystem, having partners like these is invaluable. Competing with the IPL is quite challenging, but we've been lucky that they've been very supportive, helping us lay the groundwork in the initial stages,” he added.

While Smith acknowledged the timeless appeal of Test cricket, he asserted that T20 cricket remains the main driver for the sport's commercial and global growth. “We all cherish Test cricket, but T20 is the format that fuels expansion. It is attracting private ownership into the sport, leading to remarkable valuations,” he stated. “Cricket is gaining serious attention worldwide, capturing a vast audience, and expanding in key markets. The next four to five years, especially with the upcoming 2028 Olympics, will be crucial to witness its trajectory.”