Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Young Star Balancing Fun and Competition
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a standout player in the IPL 2026 season, is making headlines with his impressive performances. But off the field, at just 15, he’s still very much like any other teenager. The young star admitted that he enjoys watching cartoons before his matches, a habit he intends to keep.
This blend of youthfulness and talent has captured fans’ attention. After the Rajasthan Royals’ comfortable victory over the Lucknow Super Giants, Sooryavanshi spoke with Star Sports, sharing his simple approach to pre-match preparation and how he manages to stay calm in the increasing spotlight.
“I always clear my mind. I still watch cartoons before every match. It’s a routine, but I am focused on the game too,” he shared. He added with confidence, “We did well today and earned two points. Now we look forward to the playoffs.”
In the match against Lucknow, Sooryavanshi scored 8 runs off 11 balls, but it was still a significant day for him. He became the youngest player in IPL history to reach 500 runs at just 15 years and 26 days old, surpassing Prithvi Shaw’s record. He also set the record for the quickest to reach that milestone, securing it in only 227 balls, which was faster than Glenn Maxwell.
Even with his modest performance in Lucknow, Sooryavanshi remains the top run-scorer for the Rajasthan Royals this season, accumulating 254 runs so far. His explosive playing style includes two half-centuries, each achieved in just 15 balls, marking him among the fastest scorers in IPL history.
How’s Sooryavanshi Faring in IPL 2026?
Sooryavanshi started the IPL season with a bang, quickly becoming one of the tournament’s most exciting young players. However, his last three matches have seen some ups and downs, with scores of 0, 48, and 8 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. The Royals lost two of those matches, showing just how important his contributions at the top of the order are.
Overall, Sooryavanshi has tallied 254 runs in seven games, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 220.87 and an average of 36.29. His ability to dominate bowlers early has been crucial for the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign this season.
As IPL 2026 unfolds, fans are eager to follow this young talent who balances his teenage joy of cartoons with the pressures of competing against some of the best bowlers in the world.
