Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin could not keep calm after Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Arshdeep Singh to the cleaners during their chase against Punjab Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Already in his second IPL season, Sooryavanshi has earned a reputation for beating the big boys of world cricket with his fearless hitting.
Tuesday was no different as the 15-year-old started with Arshdeep 6, 4, 4 in Rajasthan Royals’ 223-run first over. The madness from the youngster from Samastipur continued as he smashed the likes of Ferguson and Marco Jansen for one four and three sixes in the next two overs to reach 37 runs in just 14 deliveries.
Reacting to the explosive bat from Sooryavanshi, Ashwin couldn’t contain his emotions as he took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his feelings. “Whatever you do, drop it immediately because this not so earthling bats and howwwwwww,” the former India off-spinner wrote along with four fiery emojis.
The highlight of Sooryavanshi’s boundaries was a leg flick with some twist off the bat from Arshdeep that sailed over the deep mid-wicket fence. However, the carnage was interrupted by Arshdeep after his low full toss around the wicket did the trick as Sooryavanshi hit it straight into the hands of opposing skipper Shreyas Iyer. Sooryavanshi returned for 43 off 16 deliveries, studded with three fours and five sixes.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets back the IPL 2026 Orange Cap
Starting the day with 357 runs, Sooryavanshis 43 runs to top the IPL 2026 charts with 400 runs from eight games at a strike rate of 238.09. The Rajasthan Royals youngster has smashed 37 sixes so far and if he continues like this, Sooryavanshi could touch Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes in a single season achieved in 2012.
Sooryavanshi displaced Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma to the second spot with 380 runs, followed by KL Rahul (358), Virat Kohli (351) and Heinrich Klaasen (349). With six matches remaining in the group stage, Sooryavanshi could approach the 700-run mark provided he continues in the same vein.
Ashwin’s household full of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fans
Earlier, Ashwin revealed how the entire family became Sooryavanshi’s number one fans. “You have to give credit to Sooryavanshi. How well he batted! The moment he got out, we all got sad at home – my mother, my father,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“I watch every RR match with my mom and dad. They are number 1 (Sooryavanshi) fans. I have never seen my father admire anyone the way he admires Vaibhav. He is so excited with every shot,” he stated. “My mother keeps saying, ‘Look at his chubby cheeks!’ and ‘Look at that celebration!’… the way he admires this young child! he added further.
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