Graeme Smith has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as one of IPL 2026’s most exciting prospects, suggesting the teenage sensation could be on his way to stardom. The former South Africa captain even put the youngster in the conversation alongside established names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, underscoring the buzz surrounding his early performances.
Sooryavanshi, just 15, has already become one of the standout stories of the season with his fearless attitude at the top for Rajasthan Royals. On his blog, Smith highlighted how the youngster grabbed the attention despite the presence of seasoned superstars in the tournament.
“As always, it’s interesting to see old-school superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play, but I think this Rajasthan Royals youngster, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is the one to watch in the early weeks,” Smith said.
“He has already shown his ability to drive it from the very first ball. As a young man, he could become a proper superstar as the tournament progresses and I am really excited to see how he does,” he added.
The praise reflects the kind of impact Sooryavanshi has made in a very short span across formats. His fearless hitting and intent stood out in IPL 2026, especially against the top bowling attacks, where he showed no hesitation and went for it.
HOW WAS SOORYAVANSHI IN IPL 2026
Sooryavanshi’s numbers already tell a compelling story. In his first three matches, he scored 122 runs at an average of over 40, with a staggering strike rate close to 250.
What makes his performances even more remarkable is the manner in which those runs have come. The youngster relied heavily on boundaries, smashing 10 fours and 11 sixes and often setting the tone in the overs.
His 39 off 14 balls in the rain-shortened encounter against Mumbai Indians in Guwahati further showcased his fearless mindset. Taking on Jasprit Bumrah in his opening, he launched two high sixes, setting the tone for a dominant start.
He grabbed the headlines earlier in the season with a scintillating 15-ball half-century that underlined his game-changing ability in the matter of overs.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
April 10, 2026 12:20 PM IST
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