AB de Villiers, the legendary former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star, has set the cricketing world abuzz with a bold comparison between two of the sport's most exciting young left-handers: England's Jacob Bethell and India's 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The South African icon predicts both players are destined for superstardom, calling them "unstoppable" once their raw talent meets experience.
While Bethell is still finding his rhythm in IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi has already become the tournament's breakout star. Representing Rajasthan Royals, the teenage prodigy has amassed a stunning 404 runs in just 10 matches, sitting fifth in the Orange Cap standings. His fearless approach and jaw-dropping strike rate of 237.65 have made him one of the most destructive batters this season—a true force of nature at the crease.
Bethell, meanwhile, joined RCB on the back of a spectacular T20 World Cup campaign, where he smashed a breathtaking 45-ball century against India in the semi-final. Retained by Bengaluru for ₹2.60 crore, the young England star spent much of the early IPL season on the bench before stepping up after Phil Salt's injury. So far, he has scored 43 runs in four matches, with a highest score of 20—but his potential is undeniable.
Speaking on his YouTube podcast, de Villiers couldn't hide his excitement about both players. "I am pretty sure I have mentioned his name a few times. I do agree with you. He's a wonderful, wonderful player," he said, referring to Bethell. "Very different ages actually, but both are left-handers. He reminds me of Sooryavanshi. Fantastic talent, huge future ahead of them. Bright, bright, bright superstars of the game of cricket, but plenty still to learn, plenty of obstacles still to go through."
De Villiers emphasized that while both players are blessed with extraordinary natural ability, their journey to greatness will depend on how they handle challenges and gain experience over time. "Jacob is not as young as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but with similar class, these two will be unstoppable," he added.
For fans and young cricketers alike, this comparison is a reminder that the future of cricket is in safe hands—and that talent, when paired with determination, can light up the biggest stages. Whether you're cheering for Bethell's elegant stroke play or Sooryavanshi's explosive hitting, one thing is clear: these two left-handers are just getting started.