Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was once talked about as IPL 2026’s latest high-ceiling talent. Now the 15-year-old’s fearless batting has turned into a cross-sport sensation, with the buzz spreading well beyond cricket and into the world of WWE. The chatter has only intensified with each innings, and the latest development shows just how far the “Sooryavanshi craze” has travelled.
Quick facts
- WWE star Drew McIntyre posted a training video on Instagram with Rajasthan Royals branding.
- The gym clip showed McIntyre wearing an RR jersey with “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi” on the back.
- McIntyre’s caption read: “Chosen One.”
- Riyan Parag reacted, referencing McIntyre’s Future Shock DDT.
- Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 numbers: 583 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 232.37.
- He has made three fifties and one century, with 53 sixes so far.
- Rajasthan play Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator on Wednesday.
- Sooryavanshi is one of the reasons Rajasthan look set to push toward Qualifier 2.
On Tuesday, Drew McIntyre shared the video on Instagram in collaboration with the Rajasthan Royals. The Scottish wrestling champion was filmed working out in a gym, donning an RR jersey that had “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi” printed on the back. In the caption, McIntyre kept it simple with the words: “Chosen One.”
McIntyre also tagged the teenager in the post, turning a casual training upload into a clear endorsement. While Sooryavanshi hasn’t publicly responded yet, the Royals camp wasted no time joining the fun. Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag chimed in immediately with a nod to the WWE finishing move, the Future Shock DDT.
Parag’s comment read like a fan moment: he said he “don’t remember how many” Future Shock DDTs he has hit on “2k.” The franchise itself then appeared to back McIntyre’s declaration, replying “Certainly” to the post.
IPL 2026: the numbers behind the hype
Sooryavanshi’s rise hasn’t been accidental. He has become one of the headline faces of IPL 2026’s batting surge, bringing a level of aggression that has stood out even in a league built for power and pace. Rajasthan bought him for INR 1.1 crore at the mega auction, and his reputation had already been growing after he smashed a 35-ball century in domestic cricket last year.
Still, this season has confirmed that the hype was only the beginning. In 14 matches, he has piled up 583 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 232.37. His output includes three fifties and a century, showing he can accelerate from different phases of an innings rather than relying on one particular style.
He has already written history as the youngest player in IPL history to surpass 500 runs in a single season. With 53 sixes to his name, he is also closing in on a major record—sitting just seven short of Chris Gayle’s famous IPL mark of 59 sixes in a season, set in 2012 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Wednesday brings another opportunity. When Rajasthan take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, Sooryavanshi will get a fresh chance to add to his momentum and push his season numbers even further. A move beyond the 600-run barrier now looks realistic, depending on how the knock unfolds.
For Rajasthan, the prize is bigger than individual landmarks. The teenager’s impact could be crucial to getting them to Qualifier 2, where Gujarat Titans will await. One more high-pressure innings could decide a lot—both for his record-chasing story and the Royals’ campaign path.
