Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in Ahmedabad despite Rajasthan Royals missing out on IPL finals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (ANI Photo) While the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will dominate the headlines in Ahmedabad, one player from the non-finalist team is also expected to be among the biggest attractions at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday night. At just 15-years-old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has had one of the most extraordinary individual seasons in IPL history and is poised to bag several accolades at the end of the tournament. The teenage sensation representing Rajasthan Royals finished IPL 2026 with a staggering 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.31. He heads into the finals as the Orange Cap leader, the tournament’s leading six-man player and front-runner for the Most Valuable Player award. Sooryavanshi smashed a record 72 sixes during the season, surpassing the long-standing mark of 59 set by Chris Gayle. The numbers become even more remarkable when viewed through the lens of efficiency. Gayle hit a six every 7.73 balls during his illustrious 2012 campaign, while Sooryavanshi has cleared the ropes once every 4.31 this season. His campaign was built on fearless aggression. He came agonizingly close to breaking Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL hundred. During Rajasthan’s last league match, he needed a six off his 29th ball to get there but was caught at third man before reaching the landmark.Defending champions RCB enter the final with vigor and the benefit of a three-day break. Their batting depth has been their biggest asset, with contributions coming from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer. They have crossed the 200-run mark nine times this season and remain favorites to become only the third team to successfully defend the IPL title. GT, meanwhile, battled back after an inconsistent start. Led by Shubman Gill and fueled by the prolific opening partnership of Gill and Sai Sudharsan, they relied heavily on their top order. The mid-season arrival of Jason Holder also proved crucial, with the West Indian taking 17 wickets in just 10 matches. Yet regardless of who lifts the trophy on Sunday night, Sooryavanshi is almost certain to be one of the biggest winners of IPL 2026. Not only has the teenager topped the run charts and broken records with six knocks, he has also established himself as one of the most exciting talents the tournament has ever seen. With several accolades expected in Ahmedabad, this could easily be the first chapter of a remarkable IPL journey.