Jos Buttler Hails 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as 'Best Player Ever'

Jos Buttler Hails 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as 'Best Player Ever' | Quick Digest
England's star cricketer Jos Buttler has sensationally declared 14-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the 'best player I've ever seen'. This high praise follows Sooryavanshi's record-breaking performances in IPL 2025 and a stellar century in the recent U-19 World Cup final, marking him as a generational talent in cricket.

Key Highlights

  • Jos Buttler praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the 'best player I've ever seen'.
  • Sooryavanshi, 14, is a rising star in Indian and international cricket.
  • His achievements include youngest IPL debutant and centurion in 2025.
  • He scored a match-winning 175 in the U-19 World Cup 2026 final.
  • Buttler's comments were made on the 'For The Love Of Cricket' podcast.
  • The young cricketer's fearless approach and remarkable skills were highlighted.
The cricketing world is abuzz following England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler's extraordinary praise for 14-year-old Indian sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whom he called the 'best player I've ever seen'. This significant commendation underscores the remarkable emergence of Sooryavanshi as a prodigious talent in international cricket. Buttler's remarks were initially made in June 2025 after Sooryavanshi's sensational debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and have been reiterated and amplified following his heroic performance in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 final in February 2026. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, born on March 27, 2011, has rapidly ascended through the ranks of Indian cricket, astonishing fans and experts alike with his mature and fearless left-handed batting. His journey includes making his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at just 12 years old, becoming the second-youngest player to debut in the Ranji Trophy for Bihar and fourth overall. He further distinguished himself as the youngest Indian List A debutant and the youngest to debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The turning point for Sooryavanshi's national and international recognition came during the IPL 2025 season. Signed by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore, he became the youngest player to secure an IPL contract. Making his IPL debut on April 19, 2025, at the age of 14 years and 23 days, he created history as the youngest debutant in the league, notably being the first IPL player born after its inception in 2008. His debut saw him hit a six off the very first ball he faced, against Shardul Thakur. His IPL 2025 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. Sooryavanshi scored a blistering 35-ball century against Buttler's team, Gujarat Titans, making him the youngest player to score a century in the IPL at 14 years and 32 days old, and simultaneously setting the record for the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history. This extraordinary knock, which included 11 sixes, came against a formidable bowling attack featuring international bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan. He also equaled the record for most sixes in an IPL innings by an Indian and scored another half-century against Chennai Super Kings, showcasing his consistency and ability to dominate seasoned professionals like R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Across seven innings in IPL 2025, he amassed 252 runs at an astounding strike rate of 206.56, earning him the IPL 2025 Super Striker of the Season award. Buttler's admiration intensified after Sooryavanshi's pivotal role in the Under-19 World Cup 2026. In the final, he played a match-winning innings of 175 runs off just 80 balls, leading India to victory against England. For his exceptional performance throughout the tournament, where he scored 439 runs in seven innings (including three fifties and a hundred), Sooryavanshi was awarded both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Buttler's profound praise, shared on the 'For The Love Of Cricket' podcast with Stuart Broad, highlighted Sooryavanshi's fearlessness, immense power, and remarkable composure beyond his years. He compared Sooryavanshi's bat swing to cricketing legends Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh, noting the unprecedented attention and pressure the young player faces in Indian cricket, drawing a contrast with Sachin Tendulkar's early career when social media was non-existent. Buttler expressed hopes that Sooryavanshi would have the right guidance to navigate his burgeoning career and continue his upward trajectory. This story has garnered significant attention from various credible sports news outlets, including NDTV Sports, Sportskeeda, Rediff.com, Zee News, and the official Rajasthan Royals site, all corroborating Buttler's statements and Sooryavanshi's exceptional achievements. The headline of the 'Times of India' article accurately reflects Jos Buttler's bold claim, demonstrating it is neither sensationalized nor inaccurate. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise is a testament to his talent and hard work, making him a central figure in the future of Indian and global cricket. His performances have not only broken records but also captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide, with a leading international player like Buttler firmly endorsing his potential. This story, therefore, is highly relevant to an Indian audience, signifying the emergence of a new cricketing superstar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and what are his major achievements?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a 14-year-old Indian cricketer, born on March 27, 2011, who has rapidly gained prominence. His major achievements include being the youngest player to debut in the IPL (2025), the youngest to score an IPL century (a 35-ball hundred), and scoring a match-winning 175 in the U-19 World Cup 2026 final, for which he was also named Player of the Tournament.

Did Jos Buttler really call Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the 'best player he's ever seen'?

Yes, Jos Buttler did indeed make this bold claim. He expressed his awe on the 'For The Love Of Cricket' podcast with Stuart Broad, specifically mentioning Sooryavanshi's incredible 35-ball century against his team (Gujarat Titans) in IPL 2025 and his recent heroics in the U-19 World Cup final.

What specifically impressed Jos Buttler about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

Buttler was impressed by Sooryavanshi's fearlessness, his ability to smash big sixes against international bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan, and his remarkable composure. He also noted Sooryavanshi hitting a six on his very first ball in the IPL and compared his bat swing to cricketing legends Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh.

Which teams has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played for?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays for Bihar in domestic cricket and was picked by the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He has also represented India Under-19.

Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi considered a future superstar in cricket?

Yes, many cricketing experts and players, including Jos Buttler, consider Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a future superstar due to his extraordinary talent, record-breaking performances at a very young age, and his fearless approach to the game. His achievements have created 'shockwaves' throughout the cricketing world.

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