NEW DELHI: At just 15 years of age, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up IPL 2026 like few players ever have. The Rajasthan Royals batting sensation finished the season with a staggering 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.31, smashing 72 sixes along the way. His extraordinary campaign earned him the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and a host of individual honours.Sooryavanshi was named the Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season (237.31), Super Sixes of the Season (72) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of IPL 2026. One of the biggest moments of the awards ceremony came when Sooryavanshi received the Super Striker of the Season award and was presented with a Tata Sierra car. However, there is one catch – he cannot drive it.The reason is simple. Sooryavanshi is only 15 years old. Under Indian law, the minimum age required to obtain a driving licence for a private car is 18. So while the young batting star has won a brand-new vehicle, he will have to wait a few more years before he can legally take it out on the road himself.Speaking after being named the Most Valuable Player of the season, the teenager admitted he was feeling a different kind of pressure.“(How does it feel to win so many awards) No sir, it feels good, but I’m feeling a little pressure because I’m here for an interview. But yes, it’s a proud moment, it feels great, and I’ll try to do even better next season.”Asked about pressure, his fearless batting style and even how much milk he drinks every day, Sooryavanshi responded with a smile.“(On pressure and his fearless batting and how much milk he drinks every day) Sir, I’m not drinking milk right now (smiles). But yes, I just try to back my game. If I feel that the first ball is in my zone and I can hit it, then I go all-out and try to play that way.”The teenager also reflected on the biggest lessons from his breakthrough IPL season.“(On what he learnt from the season) This season, I learnt how to play in pressure situations and how to change my game according to the circumstances. You can’t play every game with the same mindset. You have to read the situation of the game and play according to what the team requires. I learned a lot about that, even in the playoff games.”While the records and awards have already started piling up, Sooryavanshi knows that longevity in the sport will depend on maintaining his fitness.“(On fitness and longevity) I’ll have to focus a lot on that because I want to play for a long time. I need to avoid injuries and things like that, so I’ll have to work on my fitness and focus even more going forward.”
Which quality do you admire most in a young cricketer like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
The youngster also credited Rajasthan Royals for creating an environment that has allowed him to flourish.“(on Rajasthan Royals and the support he receives) Yes sir, everyone is very supportive and everyone there backs me. All the senior players and the support staff back me a lot, and I get to learn so much because these players have performed at a very high level. So it’s a really good environment to be in.”
