Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been making waves in the cricket world during an exceptional IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, prompting coach Kumar Sangakkara to affirm that the 15-year-old prodigy is primed for a call-up to the Indian team.
Sooryavanshi’s impressive knock of 96 runs in the recent playoff match on Friday was not enough as Rajasthan Royals succumbed to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets, marking the end of their T20 campaign. Despite the loss, Sooryavanshi’s stellar performance throughout the season has been outstanding. He currently leads the batting rankings with 776 runs at an impressive average of 48.50 and a strikingly high strike-rate of 237.30 across 16 matches.
Although falling short of a century for the second consecutive match, Sooryavanshi showcased his talent with a remarkable 47-ball innings, comprising eight boundaries and seven maximums, in New Chandigarh. Sangakkara commended Sooryavanshi’s maturity and his ability to anchor the team’s batting order, indicating his readiness to face any challenge.
The young cricketer exhibited composure as he reached his fifty in 31 deliveries, which was his slowest half-century in the IPL. Sooryavanshi then accelerated, hitting a crucial six off Jason Holder before eventually getting dismissed by Kagiso Rabada with a mistimed shot to deep third man, reminiscent of his previous explosive innings of 97 runs off 29 balls in the eliminator match.
Expressing pride in Sooryavanshi’s remarkable season, Sangakkara emphasized the importance of maintaining the teenager’s fearless approach and continuous growth. The coach highlighted that Sooryavanshi’s clear mindset and courageous batting style have been pivotal to his success.
Having joined Rajasthan Royals at the age of 13, Sooryavanshi made a mark by scoring a century off just 35 balls in his debut season at the age of 14 in 2025. Sangakkara lauded the team’s support system around the young talent, emphasizing the significance of providing a conducive environment for his development without overwhelming him with unnecessary pressure.
Opposing team members also lauded Sooryavanshi’s exceptional talent, with Gujarat’s director of cricket Vikram Solanki hailing the teenager as one of the best batters in T20 cricket. Solanki praised Sooryavanshi’s unique batting style, biomechanics, and hand speed, predicting that he will pose a significant challenge for opponents in the years to come.