Former South African gun fast bowler Dale Steyn has praised Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his stellar knock against Mumbai Indians at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Tuesday. The youngster scored a blistering knock of 39 runs off just 14 balls with the help of one four and five maximums.

He added 80 runs off just 30 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal and played a key role in helping RR post an above par total of 150 runs in 11 overs. The prodigy batter scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 278.57. Steyn said Suryavanshi instils fear in the opposition bowlers with his fearless batting.

Dale Steyn said on ESPN Cricinfo, “He’s instilled fear in bowlers that he can hit you for boundaries. That delivery from Bumrah was in the slot. Even the great Bumrah is thinking at the back of his mind, ‘don’t get it wrong, because if I do, this guy is going to hit me for six’. If you think like that, you more often than not get it wrong. Even when he’s hit him for six, he’s almost started to laugh.”

“This kid is not scared. If you miss a half volley, he’s going to hit you out of the ground. Drag your length back and hit a good length. Miss and you are traveling the distance, even if you are Bumrah.”

On the other hand, former Australian skipper believes Jasprit Bumrah was looking to bowl an inswinging yorker to Suryavanshi on the first ball, on which he was smashed for a six over mid-wicket.

He said, “I think he was looking for an inswinging yorker first ball. Vaibhav has a high backlift. With that high backlift, you can be vulnerable to a good fast yorker first up. He’s just misexecuted, which can happen. It’s amazing the kind of effect that your mind has on your skill level.”

Rajasthan Royals will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Friday.