Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly become one of the defining talking points of IPL 2026, even drawing the kind of questions usually reserved for established match-winners. At only 15 years old, the aggressive opening batter has made a habit of taking the game to the opposition, using a bold, unconventional brand of T20 batting that many can attempt but few can sustain at the highest level. Each time Sooryavanshi receives a batting chance, the attention around the ground intensifies\u2014fans and cricket observers are eager to see whether the teenage sensation can produce another electric knock.<\/p>\n
Before the season began, there were doubts about whether opposing teams would be able to adjust after studying his strengths, his scoring routes, and the patterns behind his shots. A tougher follow-up campaign seemed likely for the youngster, but Sooryavanshi has answered that challenge emphatically. He has already crossed the 400-run mark in the tournament, posting a strike rate of 237.64\u2014figures that highlight not just acceleration, but also repeatable execution and a clear attacking identity. Playing in the biggest T20 competition in the world at 15 is already a remarkable feat; what has stood out even more is his willingness to confront top-tier international bowlers without hesitation. He has taken on pace threats such as Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood, while also handling the likes of Pat Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, showing poise and confidence that rarely looks like the work of a teenager.<\/p>\n
Sooryavanshi\u2019s next major test arrives against the Gujarat Titans, a team whose bowling has been a major factor behind their strong showing this season. Still, the opener has already shown that he enjoys meeting GT\u2019s leading pacers. Last year, he struck a sensational century off just 35 balls against them\u2014the quickest hundred by an Indian in IPL history. Earlier this season as well, he created an immediate impact, smashing 31 runs from only 18 deliveries. In that spell, he attacked bowlers including Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada before Rashid Khan eventually got rid of him.<\/p>\n
With Sooryavanshi\u2019s fearless form continuing to capture headlines, Gujarat Titans now face the familiar challenge of finding a workable plan to slow down the 15-year-old. Very few sides have managed to do so consistently in the ongoing season.<\/p>\n
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been effusive in his praise of Sooryavanshi and the fearless approach he has displayed against some of the fastest and most seasoned bowlers in world cricket. Pathan suggested that it has been special to watch a 15-year-old take on elite pacers with confidence, while also noting that Sooryavanshi appears to feed off the biggest names and the toughest matchups rather than getting intimidated by reputation.<\/p>\n
"Personally, I would not like to see him being stopped. When you see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play, you know, it's always a very special feeling to see a 15-year-old boy going out there and facing guys like Rabada, who's bowling at 150, facing experienced bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, and actually targeting them. And I personally feel that, you know, in a lighter note, I've said it that he targets the big bowlers, which is sort of true, but look, he enjoys the challenge. He's got the talent," Irfan Pathan said during a selected media interaction on JioHotstar's "Champions Waali Commentary," in response to a query from Hindustan Times.<\/p>\n
Alongside applauding the youngster\u2019s aggressive strokeplay, Pathan also pointed to signs of a deeper maturity in Sooryavanshi\u2019s game\u2014especially his growing awareness of situations. He cited the way Sooryavanshi approached Kagiso Rabada in their earlier meeting against Gujarat as evidence that the teenager is not simply chasing runs without thought. Instead, Pathan believes Sooryavanshi is learning when to absorb pressure and how to build an innings intelligently rather than relying purely on momentum.<\/p>\n
"Last time, his maturity was shown from this game versus Gujarat and Rajasthan – it was the game in Ahmedabad where he defended Rabada's over, where he thought that 'okay, Rabada can be the threat' and he defended, and then he targeted the other bowlers later on. And that means he wants to work on his game, which means he wants to work on his defensive game slightly. He needs to work hard because of the kind of backlift he has," Pathan added.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to Sooryavanshi\u2019s next clash with Gujarat Titans, Pathan singled out Kagiso Rabada as the bowler who could pose the most difficult challenge to the teenager. He explained that the duel would become especially interesting as teams look to vary their lengths and execution when they realise Sooryavanshi is capable of punishing mistakes.<\/p>\n
"Who will be stopping him? Look, I think I'll be excited to see Rabada versus Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Can Rabada, you know, go for the yorker or, you know, that angle away? Can he do that? Can he do two things? That'll be very interesting, because I think all the bowlers will now start bowling to him, especially they will start bowling yorkers as well and they'll start finding different ways. I seriously believe that behind point and third man, that's the area to make him play. That's one way to actually keep him quiet and maybe get him out. But there's a yorker – another option, so who can bowl the yorker in that particular game? That bowler might be able to stop him. But I personally don't want him to be stopped at any stage. I want him to keep scoring runs and I want him to play top-level cricket," he said.<\/p>\n
Pathan also spoke about his experience on JioHotstar\u2019s "Champions Waali Commentary," saying the platform has given former cricketers more space to break down the finer details of batting and bowling in depth. He described it as an environment where analysis can go beyond surface-level discussion, with the panel offering varied perspectives across matches.<\/p>\n
"Look, this Champions Wali Commentary is the best thing that has happened to broadcast because we got to explore\u2014especially guys like me who love to analyse batting, bowling, fielding, the details. For me, I'm absolutely loving it. I think this is my zone and nothing better than being part of such an elite panel where we have quite a few solid cricketers, experienced cricketers coming and give their own different opinions in different games. Absolutely loving every bit of it. Actually, whenever the session starts, I'm excited. You know, I'm always thinking 'what's gonna happen now?' and 'what I can do to add value to the viewers and the broadcasting?'" Pathan said.<\/p>\n
Champions Wali Commentary is a dedicated Hindi digital feed on CTV, featuring former TATA IPL champions who share never-heard-before stories and offer insight into players\u2019 minds as live match action unfolds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly become one of the defining talking points of IPL 2026, even drawing the kind of questions usually reserved for established match-winners.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Can Rabada Control Teen Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026 teen Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is turning heads\u2014can Rabada and the bowlers finally stop his fearless batting before it sparks another upset?","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n