A Rising Star in the IPL
Batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again made headlines during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, lighting up the competition with his exceptional performance. The 15-year-old player scored his second century of the season, this time against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in just 36 balls. This remarkable achievement marked the third fastest ton in the league’s history. Interestingly, Sooryavanshi had previously set a record for the second quickest ton in IPL 2025 against the Gujarat Titans.
A Moment of Inspiration
The young talent’s performance left even seasoned players in awe. Former West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite was visibly stunned after witnessing Sooryavanshi dominate the SRH bowlers. During an appearance on ESPN Cricinfo’s Time-out show, Brathwaite expressed his admiration, stating, “It makes me feel so inadequate as a human being. Because at 37, I probably can’t do what he is doing at 15. When I was 15, I was still getting licks from mom and dad. He’s sharing licks to the Bumrahs of the world and the best in the business.”
A Warning from a Cricket Legend
Despite the excitement surrounding Sooryavanshi’s performances, Brathwaite has advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be cautious about fast-tracking the young player into the national team. He referenced the career of former legendary batter Brian Lara, highlighting how the West Indies handled his development. “I apologise, Vaibhav, but if you look at how the West Indies handled Brian Lara. He was a generational talent, everyone knew. So what did the West Indies do? They put him in the mix with Viv Richards and whatnot, but he didn’t play international cricket. That was a different time with loads of tour games, and he cut his teeth with the senior players without having made his debut. And then we know how his career went once he debuted,” he added.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
Sooryavanshi’s latest milestone came during a match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where he scored an impressive 103 runs. This feat made him the youngest batter to reach 1000 runs in T20 cricket. His century helped the Rajasthan Royals (RR) post a formidable total of 228 runs on the board. Dhruv Jurel was the second-highest scorer for RR, contributing 51 runs from 35 balls.
Abhishek Sharma continued his strong form, scoring 57 runs off 29 balls, including 11 fours and a six. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan led the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting effort with a quickfire 74 runs off 31 deliveries. Nitish Kumar Reddy also played a crucial role, scoring 36 runs in a short time, helping Hyderabad chase down the target with five wickets in hand and nine balls remaining.
A Promising Future
Sooryavanshi’s performances have not only captivated fans but also sparked discussions about his potential future in the national team. With 357 runs from eight games in IPL 2026, he is currently joint second in the race for the orange cap. As he continues to showcase his talent, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds.
