Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is continuing to draw major praise for his fearless, high-tempo approach in IPL 2026, with the 15-year-old proving to be a genuine difference-maker for Rajasthan Royals. Through the first nine matches of the campaign, he has been at the heart of the franchise’s momentum, contributing to the Royals’ success in six of those games. His run-scoring has also kept him right in the hunt for the Orange Cap, with 400 runs from nine appearances, including a century.
How bowlers are trying (and failing) to stop Sooryavanshi
Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, who is part of the ESPNcricinfo panel as an expert for TATA IPL 2026, was asked what tactics could restrain Sooryavanshi’s momentum. Bishop’s view was that while a back-of-a-length plan has succeeded against the teenager at times, it has often produced the opposite effect.
- Bishop said Sooryavanshi’s batting is technically distinct, particularly in how he generates his power through a swing that resembles a “baseball” style.
- He added that pinpointing a single clear weakness has been difficult, given how the batter adjusts as the ball comes onto his bat.
- Bishop noted that back-of-a-length deliveries have worked at least occasionally, but if the bowler fails to force an early top edge, the ball can still be launched “out of the park”.
- He concluded that he has not yet been able to identify one universal plan that consistently works against him.
Bishop delivered those remarks ahead of IPL 2026 Revenge Week.
Orange Cap race reshuffle
Sooryavanshi made history early by being the first player to reach the 400-run mark in the season. However, the Orange Cap standings have since moved again, with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma taking over the lead by scoring 425 runs, and Heinrich Klaasen climbing to 414 runs to surpass him.
“AI chip” claim sparks a calm, funny response
Sooryavanshi also recently addressed viral claims about an “AI chip” supposedly embedded in his bat. Rajasthan Royals posted a video on X in which the youngster responded with humour and composure, saying that whatever power he has is “from above”. He joked that if anything is “installed”, it is done by God, and that he is simply using what has been given to him.
“God has given it to me. He himself said something is installed in my bat. I am using that,” Vaibhav said in the Royals’ clip.
Dominance over leading strike bowlers
Alongside his run tally and milestone pace, Sooryavanshi has also taken on some of the game’s biggest names, striking with impact against bowlers including Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah—an accomplishment that has left both supporters and cricket observers impressed.
