Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added yet another milestone to his rapidly growing IPL story during the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. The 15-year-old managed just 8 runs, but the knock still carried historical weight as he became the youngest player to reach 500 runs in IPL history. He also set a new benchmark for speed, becoming the fastest to the mark in terms of balls faced, surpassing the previous record held by Australia’s Glenn Maxwell.
Quick facts
- Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)
- Age: 15 years
- Match: vs Lucknow Super Giants (Wednesday, IPL 2026)
- Runs scored in the game: 8
- Milestone: youngest to 500 IPL runs
- Also achieved: fastest to 500 runs by balls faced, beating Glenn Maxwell’s mark
After the game, Sooryavanshi offered a surprising glimpse into his routine—one that mixes preparation with a childhood favourite. While he acknowledged that the spotlight is always on his cricket, he admitted that he still makes time to watch cartoons before every match. In his post-match interaction, he said that even now he continues the habit ahead of games and that his mindset still keeps both aspects in balance: cartoons for routine, and focus for performance.
Speaking in Hindi, he summed it up with a smile: “Dimaag me kuch nahi chalta hai. Aaj bhi har din match se pahle hum bhi cartoon dekhte hain, aadat hai dekhne ka (smile). Abhi bhi hum cartoon dekh rahe hain, par focus game par bhi hai.” In English, the message was clear—he still watches cartoons before each match, even as his attention remains on his game.
Social media quickly latched onto the contrast. Fans and users praised the “dual” image of a teenage star carrying childhood habits into high-pressure IPL nights, with many reacting to how naturally he seemed to blend the two worlds. The viral response also leaned into the playful side of his temperament, especially with the way he has been showing flashes of aggression and entertainment, including smashing sixes “for fun” alongside his record-breaking progress.
As the Royals look to build momentum towards the business end of the season, Sooryavanshi kept his eyes firmly on the next step. He followed up with a straightforward message about intent: “Accha karenge agla match me. Jeet ke 2 points liye, aage badi playoffs ki taraf.” Translated, it was a simple promise—win the next match, take the two points, and keep moving closer to the playoffs.
