India, May 20 -- It was a scratchy start to his innings in Jaipur on Tuesday evening as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi crawled to five runs off his first eight balls. Yet, he eventually ended up with a stunning 93 off just 38 deliveries, including a 23-ball fifty, to help Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants and keep their playoff hopes alive. But more than the carnage itself, it was a subtle innovation in Sooryavanshi's innings that not only impressed former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, but even drew comparisons with Chris Gayle.

Speaking on JioHotstar after the match in Jaipur, Pathan pointed out that while Sooryavanshi has largely been known as a dominant leg-side player, it was the range of shots he displayed on the off-side that stoo...