Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is proving that there’s no off switch in the IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals opener once again stole the spotlight on Friday, smashing the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a commanding win at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. The 15-year-old walked in and, after only 26 deliveries, played a breathtaking knock of 78 that featured eight fours and seven sixes, helping RR take control of a 202-run chase with ease.
Sooryavanshi’s hitting spree against RCB followed the same fearless pattern he showed earlier versus Jasprit Bumrah. He did not get bogged down by the presence of Josh Hazlewood either, taking the Australian pacer on and punishing him throughout. With that explosive innings, he also moved into the lead for the Orange Cap and continued to silence the talk about “second-season blues” that many expected to derail him. The youngster was named Player of the Match as Rajasthan recorded their fourth consecutive victory, tightening their grip on the top of the points table.
At the post-match presentation, Sooryavanshi outlined what keeps him level when bowlers of the calibre of Bumrah and Hazlewood are charging in. He stressed that his mind-set is to concentrate on the ball—rather than getting distracted by who is bowling. In the contest against RCB, he faced only four deliveries from Hazlewood, yet managed to score 18 off them, striking three fours and a six in the process.
“It stays in the back of my mind who is bowling, but I was trying to play the ball, not stare at the bowler, and play it according to what’s in front of me—play my game,” Sooryavanshi said. He added: “I just try to do what I do in practice, repeat the same thing, don’t try anything extra, and back my natural game.”
For a stretch, it looked like Sooryavanshi would produce the first hundred of the IPL 2026 season. However, he was dismissed against the run of play when Krunal Pandya got him out. Virat Kohli then completed the moment with a superb diving catch in the deep, sending the youngster back to the pavilion.
After losing his wicket, Sooryavanshi showed clear disappointment, and the frustration at missing out on a century was visible. Speaking about what went through his mind, he said: “If I stay on the wicket, then another 10-20 runs can be made. If we are chasing the target, then we can finish it two overs earlier, or if we set the target, then 10-20 runs can be made more. So I regret it if I am out by playing a loose shot, because the team is going minus, and I just get a little upset that I could have played longer.”
‘My guardian’
Sooryavanshi also revealed who helps guide him through the pressure of IPL cricket. He said Rajasthan Royals’ team manager Romi Bhinder acts as his “guardian,” and that he regularly reminds him that the journey is long. In addition, he credits his family and coaches for keeping him grounded.
“Here, my guardian is Romi sir. At home, there is Papa and my coaches. So all these people keep telling me that the journey is very long, this has just started, so you have to focus on your process and your work. You have to focus on the game without looking here and there,” Sooryavanshi said.
Through the opening phase of the season, the left-handed batter has amassed 200 runs across four matches in IPL 2026. He sits at the top of the Orange Cap standings, leading second-placed Yashasvi Jaiswal by 17 runs, with his opening partner continuing to chase hard behind him.
