From IPL’s Youngest Centurion to Sobers Comparison: Vaibhav’s Dream Run

The greatest compliment has been bestowed upon young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, as he has been compared to the legendary batsman Sir Gary Sobers by former England batsman Mark Butcher. While it was common to compare young batsmen with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, it is now the turn of Sir Gary Sobers, as every aspect of Vaibhav Suryavanshi's game is similar to that of Sobers, according to Mark Butcher. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is currently the sixer-hitting machine, having achieved the feat of becoming the youngest IPL centurion, scoring centuries in England, South Africa, and Australia, and then winning the Under-19 World Cup.

Speaking to the media, Mark Butcher said, "The first thing that came to my mind when I saw Vaibhav bat was Gary Sobers. The aggression, timing, and contact of his bat with the ball are exactly the same. His arm speed and footwork are incredible. The way his bat spins completely after hitting a shot and lands on his back is pure Sobers style."

Gary Sobers is considered the world's greatest all-rounder, having hit six sixes in an over in 1968. While it may seem strange to compare 14-year-old Vaibhav to Sobers, Butcher provided evidence to support it. Butcher said, "I urge those who haven't seen Sobers play to watch the video of his six sixes against Malcolm Nash. I swear to God, Vaibhav looks exactly like him. His footwork and body balance are exactly like Sobers'."

This comparison of Vaibhav reminds one of Sir Don Bradman's statement about Sachin Tendulkar. Bradman had said, "I've never seen myself play, but looking at this boy (Sachin), it seems he plays exactly like me."