Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may not have reached a half-century on Tuesday for Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings, but his opening burst in the Powerplay turned the chase into chaos for Shreyas Iyer’s side. In just 16 balls, the youngster struck 43 runs, smashing five maximums and three boundaries to leave Punjab’s bowlers struggling for rhythm from the very first overs. Three of those sixes came in the “helicopter” style made synonymous with former India captain MS Dhoni, and the comparisons were immediate—one of Sooryavanshi’s helicopter hits landed against Arshdeep Singh, while the other two were sent sailing over the fence against Lockie Ferguson.
Helicopter hits spark Dhoni-style buzz
Moments like these have drawn instant fan reactions, with Rajasthan Royals highlighting the shot repeatedly after the fireworks. The visual references to the helicopter technique only grew stronger as Sooryavanshi kept finding that same aggressive line and lofted power early in the innings, giving his team the kind of start that forces field settings to change almost immediately.
Rajasthan Royals also posted the impact of his batting during the chase, with the franchise pointing to how Sooryavanshi’s early hitting set the tone in the Punjab Kings clash in IPL 2026. The display underlined his ability to accelerate quickly and punish bowlers before they can settle into their lengths.
Shikhar Dhawan heaps praise, predicts an India debut
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan then added his own endorsement of the teenager’s rise. Dhawan said he was “extremely impressed” by the fearless manner in which Sooryavanshi has taken on high-speed bowling, suggesting that the pathway to international cricket could open soon.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing extremely well. I am very impressed by him. The way he is taking on bowlers easily when they are bowling at 145 kmph is fantastic, and the day is not far when he debuts for India,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan’s comments reflected the broader sense around Sooryavanshi’s campaign so far in IPL 2026. At just 15 years old, he has already gone after some of the strongest bowling attacks in the competition, taking on names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood, while maintaining a calmness and confidence that many seasoned players struggle to match.
Sooryavanshi becomes season’s leading run-scorer
After his sharp 43 off 16 balls against Punjab Kings, Sooryavanshi moved ahead of Abhishek Sharma to become the leading run-getter of the season. His current tally stands at 400 runs from 168 deliveries, which comes at a strike rate of 238.09. He also reached the 400-run mark in only 167 balls, making him the fastest batter to cross 400 in a single IPL season.
Dhawan backs Rohit and Kohli ahead of ODI World Cup
Looking beyond franchise cricket, Dhawan also backed the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with the ODI World Cup approaching. He stressed that players with big-match exposure will be crucial in a tournament that comes only a year after the current cycle.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both experienced, and you need experience going into the ODI World Cup, which is only a year away,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan’s IPL loyalties and thoughts on Shreyas Iyer
When asked about his favourite IPL team, Dhawan made it clear he supports Punjab Kings. He noted that his past involvement with the franchise gives him extra reason to back them, and he also highlighted Shreyas Iyer’s leadership.
“I am supporting Punjab Kings as I have played with them before. The future of Shreyas Iyer is bright. The way he is leading Punjab is amazing,” Dhawan added.
