Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals’ teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become the talk of the cricketing world after his sensational performance in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The extraordinary rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 continued as he received high praise from prominent Pakistani sports executive Javed Afridi.
Afridi, owner of the Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, publicly lauded the 15-year-old, saying he was “truly blown away” by the youngster’s fearless batting on one of the biggest stages of T20 cricket. The recognition further highlights the growing global attention around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 performances.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026: Record-Breaking Knock Stuns Cricket World
The young opener delivered a breathtaking innings of 97 runs off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the high-pressure Eliminator match. His explosive knock included 12 sixes and 5 fours, striking at an astonishing rate of over 334.
With this performance, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 also saw him break Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL playoff record for most sixes in a single innings. The innings played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals advancing further in the tournament.
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He also climbed to the top of the season charts, securing the Orange Cap with 680 runs in 15 innings at an extraordinary strike rate exceeding 242.
Global Cricket Icons Praise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 Rise
The youngster’s performances have attracted admiration from some of the biggest names in world cricket. Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar praised his fearless approach, while AB de Villiers compared his batting style to a young Matthew Hayden.
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has also supported the teenager’s rapid rise, hinting at a possible future national call-up. The buzz around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 has even crossed sporting boundaries, with international personalities like WWE star Drew McIntyre calling him “The Chosen One.”
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 Becomes Global Sensation
With consistent match-winning performances, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 has transformed from a promising talent into one of the most explosive young batters in world cricket. His ability to dominate experienced bowling attacks has made him a global sensation.
As Rajasthan Royals continue their playoff journey, all eyes remain on the teenager whose fearless batting has reshaped the narrative of IPL 2026.