Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking innings against the Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur during the 2025 Indian Premier League was hailed by Ajay Jadeja.
It was difficult for the former Indian star to explain the force of the 14-year-old’s blow. Every cricket player growing up would aspire to have a moment like Suryavanshi’s, according to Jadeja, who set numerous records and broke many more on his way to his incredible 101-run knock off just 38 balls. A 14 or 15-year-old would love to have such a moment in local school-level ground matches, he said, but it would be an enormous accomplishment to pull that off at the largest platform like the IPL.
“I lack the terminology necessary to adequately describe the feelings I’m experiencing. To put it this way, all of us who played cricket envisioned scenes like these in our local grounds or drawing rooms. We all had different dreams when we were 14 or 15, but this is what you dream about: competing against guys with such skill and experience in the IPL,” Jadeja asserted.
He asserted that the young player’s attitude was what really stood out, not only his technique or the calibre of the bowling attack he encountered. Jadeja was amazed by Suryavanshi’s strategic assault because he was unconcerned about the result.
Ajay Jadeja compares Vaibhav Suryavanshi to MS Dhoni.
“What really sticks out is his mindset, not only his technique or the bowling attacks he encountered. What really amazes me is the conviction to continue even after the high of that ended, the capacity to be present and to continue flowing without hesitation. You can find physical skills, but it’s remarkable that a 14-year-old would have such faith in himself. Jadeja continued, “What he has demonstrated is something else, even if someone claims it was just his lucky day.
Seven fours and an incredible eleven sixes were part of Suryavanshi’s outstanding knock. After reaching his half-century in just 17 balls, he went on to reach his century off just 35 balls. The young player’s six against Shardul Thakur on the opening ball of his IPL career, according to Jadeja, made a message in and of itself.
“You have to fantasise about some of the shots he made before you can actually make them. It’s unthinkable that a 14-year-old would think that way. Remember the first ball he encountered against Shardul Thakur three games ago? He proved he belonged then. He was clearly upset and on the verge of tears when he was removed from the game after scoring thirty that day, but a few minutes later, he was grinning in the dugout once more, Jadeja continued.
Jadeja continued by saying that it’s remarkable how well a 14-year-old can control his emotions. In closing, the former Indian batter stated that Suryavanshi’s knock might influence young people in a similar way to how MS Dhoni encouraged children in India’s smaller areas to play cricket. Jadeja asserted that with Vaibhav’s ascension, cricket in India would never be the same.
“At 14, the capacity to conquer emotions is enormous. He has a unique way of thinking. I’m not making a straight comparison, but this moment has the potential to alter how every 14–15-year-old in India envisions their journey, much like MS Dhoni’s entry altered the beliefs of children from smaller villages. “Indian cricket will never be the same again,” Jadeja said.