NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s momentum in IPL 2026 is showing no signs of slowing down. The 15-year-old has been turning starts into big scores with aggressive strokeplay, and his rapid rise is now drawing praise from established international names, including Aiden Markram, who highlighted just how impressive the youngster’s hitting looks at such a young age.
Markram’s admiration for Sooryavanshi’s power-hitting
Aiden Markram, reacting to the teen’s latest displays, said it’s “entertaining” to watch. The South African batter added that when he was 15, he didn’t even think he could clear the ropes for a boundary yet, underlining how rare Sooryavanshi’s impact has been for his age. Markram’s comments point to the excitement surrounding the Rajasthan Royals prospect, whose confidence at the crease has become a major talking point this season.
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been widely viewed as remarkable for the way he has approached T20 batting with fearless intent and a strike-rate that quickly turns partnerships into match-changing phases. His ability to hit sixes consistently has set him apart, and he has already become a key presence for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.
Rajasthan’s star-in-the-making and the 500-run milestone
While Rajasthan’s season narrative continues to gather pace, the biggest immediate storyline revolves around Sooryavanshi’s personal milestone. The teenager is just a couple of knocks away from a major landmark: he has compiled 498 runs in only 13 IPL innings and requires two more to reach 500 runs.
- Sooryavanshi is 15 years old
- He has scored 498 runs across 13 IPL innings
- He needs 2 more runs to touch the 500-run mark
Rajasthan vs Lucknow: playoff pressure at Ekana on April 22
Attention now turns to a key midweek fixture with Lucknow Super Giants locking horns with Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 22. The matchup carries extra tension because both teams arrive after defeats and are looking to respond quickly to keep their playoff hopes firmly alive.
Lucknow will be aiming to restore consistency, having struggled to maintain steady performances. Rajasthan, in contrast, have looked better balanced, winning four of their six matches so far, giving them a steadier platform heading into this encounter.
- Match: Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium
- Date: April 22
- Both teams are coming off defeats
- Lucknow: searching for consistency
- Rajasthan: more settled, with 4 wins from 6 games
Key players, tactical battles, and what the pitch could offer
For Lucknow, the focus is likely to be on experienced anchors who can steady the innings—Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram are expected to play important roles in shaping the team’s response. Still, T20 contests often swing on specific matchups, and individual battles could be decisive, particularly as Lucknow contend with Rajasthan’s varied bowling options.
The Ekana surface is expected to create a fairly balanced contest, with a slight advantage for teams chasing totals. With pressure rising and momentum at stake, the clash promises to be tightly fought—especially with Sooryavanshi once again positioned as a central figure in the proceedings.
