Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about young batters in Indian cricket. At just 15 years old, the left-handed opener’s power-packed strokeplay has drawn widespread admiration, and his early IPL impact has only intensified the attention on him. His rise began when Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for Rs 1.1 crore ahead of IPL 2025, and he soon delivered performances that justified the franchise’s faith.
Key takeaways
- Rajasthan Royals bought Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Rs 1.1 crore ahead of IPL 2025.
- In his IPL debut, he struck a six off the first ball he faced, before scoring a century in his second match.
- That 35-ball hundred became the fastest by an Indian in IPL history, and the second-fastest overall.
- Allan Border praised Sooryavanshi’s hitting power and said he can see “glimpses” of Brian Lara in him.
- Sooryavanshi later built on his IPL form, scoring 252 runs in seven games in IPL 2025 and 254 runs in seven games in IPL 2026.
A rapid IPL start and a landmark hundred
Sooryavanshi’s first season with Rajasthan Royals offered immediate signs of a special talent. He began his IPL journey by dispatching a six on the first ball he faced, setting the tone for what followed. In only his second IPL game, he produced a sensational 35-ball century—an achievement that also marked the quickest IPL hundred by any Indian. The innings further stood out as the second fastest century overall in IPL history.
Border’s praise and the call to strengthen his defence
Former Australia batter Allan Border also weighed in on the teenager’s potential. Border described Sooryavanshi as an exceptional talent, noting that he has not seen a batter at the age of 14 or 15 drive the ball with such force. While he stopped short of making a prediction about whether the youngster will go on to become a successful Test cricketer, Border said he can clearly detect traits reminiscent of Brian Lara.
Border also offered practical guidance for the 15-year-old, urging him to tighten his defensive technique as he develops further. The message underlined that raw power is only one side of the growth required at the highest levels.
From early bench time to starring roles
During the first phase of IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi spent time warming the bench. His opportunity arrived after Sanju Samson picked up an injury. Once called upon, the left-hander made the most of the chance and delivered consistent output, finishing IPL 2025 with 252 runs in seven matches. His average during that stretch was 36.00, and his strike rate read 206.56.
His performances were not limited to franchise cricket either. Sooryavanshi carried the same kind of impact to the Under-19 level for India, reinforcing the idea that his talent translates beyond the IPL environment.
Carrying the momentum into IPL 2026
Buoyed by his impressive displays, Sooryavanshi earned a spot in Rajasthan Royals’ Playing XI right from the opening game of IPL 2026. He again made early contributions, scoring 254 runs in his first seven matches. This time, his average was 36.28, while his strike rate climbed to 213.5—numbers that underline how quickly he has adapted to a bigger workload and higher expectations.
