A Rising Star in the IPL
Batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again made headlines during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. On Saturday night, the 15-year-old delivered a stunning performance with the bat, scoring his second century of the tournament off just 36 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This remarkable knock not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also marked the third fastest ton in the league’s history. It’s worth noting that Sooryavanshi had previously achieved the second quickest ton in IPL 2025 against Gujarat Titans, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star.
A Moment of Awe
The impact of Sooryavanshi’s performance was so profound that even former West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite found himself at a loss for words. During a chat on ESPN Cricinfo’s Time-out show, Brathwaite expressed his admiration for the young batter, 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.”
Caution from a Cricketing Legend
Despite the excitement surrounding Sooryavanshi’s performances, Brathwaite has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to exercise caution regarding any potential call-up to the national team. He drew a parallel with the career of Brian Lara, one of the greatest batters in cricket history. “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.
A New Milestone
Sooryavanshi’s latest achievement was nothing short of historic. During his knock of 103 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the young batter became the youngest player to reach 1000 runs in T20 cricket. His century helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) post an impressive total of 228 on the board. Dhruv Jurel was the second-highest scorer for the home side, contributing 51 runs from 35 balls.
Abhishek Sharma continued his stellar form with the bat, scoring 57 runs from 29 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Ishan Kishan led the charge for the visiting side with a crucial knock of 74, which came off just 31 deliveries. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s quickfire 36 runs played a pivotal role in helping Hyderabad chase down the target with five wickets in hand and nine balls remaining.
The Future Looks Bright
With each match, Sooryavanshi continues to showcase his incredible potential and ability to perform under pressure. His performances have not only captivated fans but also sparked discussions about his future in the sport. As he continues to make waves in the IPL, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see how this young talent evolves and contributes to the game.
