Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL title, but the biggest talking point of the 2026 season came from an unexpected direction. Former England captain and wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler singled out 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the teenager who effectively became the tournament’s defining force, eclipsing even the headline story of RCB’s trophy win and the final showdown involving Gujarat Titans.
Key takeaways
- Jos Buttler said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was “nearly the IPL” in 2026, calling him the story of the competition despite RCB’s title defence.
- Sooryavanshi finished with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.3 and struck 72 sixes during the season.
- He won five major individual awards: Orange Cap, MVP, Emerging Player, Super Striker, and the leading six-hitter honour.
- Stuart Broad argued Sooryavanshi’s fame may grow internationally faster than any player who has not yet played international cricket.
- Buttler highlighted the scale of Sooryavanshi’s support in India, describing how even a Rajasthan Royals match in Kolkata drew massive attention.
Buttler’s standout praise and the scale of Sooryavanshi’s impact
Buttler, speaking on the YouTube podcast For The Love of Cricket, reflected on the recently wrapped IPL 2026 campaign and reserved special admiration for Sooryavanshi’s performances. In his view, while RCB ultimately delivered the trophy moment, the teenager’s run of form dominated the tournament narrative.
Buttler pointed out that Sooryavanshi’s numbers weren’t just impressive—they were overwhelming. He described the season as one where the 15-year-old effectively set the standard across batting output, strike rate, and game-changing finishing, adding that it was “amazing” to watch.
A final day presence and a record-breaking haul of awards
Even though Rajasthan Royals were not involved in the title match, Sooryavanshi attended the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. He watched the game alongside ICC chairman Jay Shah before collecting five individual awards that reshaped several records in the season.
His dominance showed up clearly in his statistical output. Sooryavanshi amassed 776 runs, struck at 237.3, and cleared the ropes 72 times. Those contributions translated into the Orange Cap, the Most Valuable Player award, the Emerging Player award, the Super Striker award, and the distinction of finishing as the tournament’s leading six-hitter.
Stuart Broad expects global stardom ahead of an international debut
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes Sooryavanshi’s influence could extend well beyond the IPL. Broad suggested the youngster might become a worldwide star before earning an international cap, a route he said is rare in modern cricket.
He explained that in England, even people who may not follow the IPL closely are already discussing Sooryavanshi. Broad emphasised the level of curiosity around the teenager’s performances, describing him as a world star—though not necessarily in comparison to other established names, but as a standout case of fame arriving early.
Buttler on the “massive” fan pressure and a potential England series call-up
Buttler also spoke about how enormous Sooryavanshi’s popularity has become in India. He recalled a Rajasthan Royals fixture in Kolkata, saying the crowd’s support for the teenager was impossible to ignore. Buttler revealed that he had spoken with Rajasthan Royals’ former owner Manoj Badale, who told him that in Kolkata, half the stadium appeared to turn up to watch Vaibhav—many wearing his RR jersey.
Buttler added that handling that kind of pressure at just 15 would be difficult for any player, yet Sooryavanshi seemed to absorb it. He also described the match atmosphere around him, noting that whenever Sooryavanshi bats with such force, a dedicated “Sooryavanshi song” apparently plays as he starts to hit at speed.
From there, Buttler admitted he would like to see Sooryavanshi included in India’s squad for next month’s five-match T20I series in England. He acknowledged that such a prospect might not be welcomed by England’s bowlers, but he argued the decision would be worth it because the entire cricket ecosystem—players and support staff alike—appears intrigued by the teenager.
Next steps: India A tri-series ahead of a potential T20I debut discussion
The likelihood of that England opportunity remains uncertain. Sooryavanshi is expected to feature in an upcoming India A one-day tri-series, a competition selectors reportedly regard as an important checkpoint. It is viewed as part of the broader process of assessing whether he should be considered for a potential T20I debut during the England tour.
