NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turned IPL 2026 into a personal playground, punishing top-class bowling attacks with a fearless, high-tempo approach. The teenage batter’s fearless intent translated into relentless scoring, forcing opponents to constantly rethink their plans as he kept the scoreboard accelerating and bowlers struggled to slow him down.
Sooryavanshi was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after finishing as the leading run-getter. He amassed 776 runs across 16 innings, striking at 237.30 and maintaining an average of 48.50. His campaign featured one century and five half-centuries, which earned him the Orange Cap and underlined just how consistently he delivered when the stakes were high.
During his run-scoring spree, the Rajasthan Royals opener also rewrote several benchmarks. He surpassed Chris Gayle’s earlier IPL record of 59 sixes in a single season by hammering 72 maximums in IPL 2026, setting a new mark for big-hitting output over the course of the league phase and playoffs.
Even though Rajasthan Royals’ journey ended with a loss in Qualifier 2, Sooryavanshi still dominated the awards night. He collected the Most Valuable Player trophy along with Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season, Orange Cap, and Super Sixes of the Season.
After the medal ceremony, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin light-heartedly suggested that the only honour Sooryavanshi had not picked up was the one for most fours in the tournament, a comment that drew attention to just how dominant his overall boundary-hitting had been.
In response, Sooryavanshi outlined his long-term ambitions beyond T20 cricket. “Yes, I will have to play on the ground because the next assignment is in a one-day format. I have practised a lot with a red ball, but no one has seen me do that, but they will soon,” he said.
He also clarified the mindset behind his aggressive batting. “People think I love to hit every ball, but this is the T20 format, and coaches give me a free hand to go all guns blazing. And I hit the ball only because I know I can hit them, and it isn’t out of compulsion,” he added.
Sooryavanshi further spoke about his goal of playing Test cricket, explaining that his father had guided him towards valuing the longer format. “I want to play Test cricket, obviously, because my father also taught me that it is the ultimate format, and I have played it as well. I’m yet to play many games, though. I played Ranji Trophy cricket but did not get too many opportunities, and it was challenging for me. But I am going to keep working on that aspect of my game,” he said.
MSK Prasad urges fast-tracking to India
Former India chief selector MSK Prasad described the young batter as a “super talent” and one of the “best in the world in T20 cricket,” while urging decision-makers to move quickly and include him in the national setup for the Ireland series later this month. Prasad argued that Sooryavanshi’s impact in the shortest format was already at the highest level.
“He is not just a prodigy or a super talent. He is already among the best in the world in T20 cricket. He should be fast tracked immediately into the Indian side. He should be picked for the Ireland series which happens after the India A tri series in Sri Lanka,” Prasad said.
He also suggested the timing was ideal for Sooryavanshi’s step up. “I think, it’s nicely poised for him to be drafted into the senior Indian team. I think he is going to flourish in the India A tri series in Sri Lanka as well. See, there is no point holding him back. He is going to play for India soon and he is going to play for a long time,” the former India wicketkeeper-batter predicted.
Prasad reiterated that high-pressure IPL cricket against elite T20 bowling units is often the fastest route to earning a long-term place in the side. “Playing India A and then playing for India is usually the norm but playing high pressure IPL among the best in the world is the best way to get into the Indian side. I think the selectors are also thinking on the same line. It’s just a matter of time that he will play for India and will play for a long time,” he added.
