Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (PTI Photo) With the Indian Premier League 2026 set to begin in just six days, all eyes are once again on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy, who turns 15 this Friday, is making a comeback after a spectacular debut last year when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Giants, leaving fans and bowlers in awe. This innings made him the youngest centurion in IPL history and the fastest Indian to reach three figures, breaking Yusuf Pathan’s record.Sooryavanshi’s rise has been meteoric. During the IPL mega auction for the 2025 season, he secured a deal worth Rs 1.1 crore with Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest ever player to be signed. Over the past year, he has dominated across continents, scoring centuries in Australia, South Africa and England. His crowning moment came in the U-19 World Cup final against England, where he scored a match-winning 175 off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes each. His 55-ball century is among the fastest in U19 World Cup history and helped India lift the trophy for the sixth time.
Watch
Father’s pride: How RR, Dravid and Vikram shaped Vaibhav Suryavanshi But as IPL 2026 approaches, Sooryavanshi faces new challenges. It is assumed that the bowlers have studied his game and will try to pick out weaknesses. His talent is undeniable and many see him as a potential trailblazer and future legend. However, not everyone is convinced of his professional approach.On AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Jitesh Sharma, who captained Sooryavanshi during India A’s Asia Cup campaign last year, praised the youngster’s prowess but expressed doubts about his off-field habits. “Right now, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I feel he can take over world cricket. He has the No.6 kit and a very good skill set,” Sharma said when asked which youngster he would invest in.De Villiers, who watched Sooryavanshi’s masterclass of 175 runs in the U-19 World Cup final, was full of admiration. “He’s a great player. I watched him at the age of nineteen. It’s not always easy when you get a taste of IPL and big cricket and still show the same kind of standard. I was very impressed with the way he played in the World Cup. Very professional. He’s very mature for his age,” said the former South African captain.De Villiers added that Sooryavanshi stayed true to his game plan, replicating the approach he used in the IPL without arrogance or trying to be someone else. “But he will be a professional,” he said.Sharma, however, was more skeptical. “He is not a professional. I can tell you that. Everyone is trying to make him be a professional, but I don’t think he will ever be a professional. He can be on the field, but not off the field. I try my best. I ask him not to have ice cream at night,” he added.
