Big IPL 2026 warning for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 'All bowlers will be ready'
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 14-year-old batting sensation, faces a crucial IPL 2026 season. Following a stellar Under-19 World Cup, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlights the importance of this phase for the young prodigy. Pathan believes opposition teams are closely analyzing Sooryavanshi's game, making this season a significant learning curve for him to evolve and prove his mettle.
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, with the spotlight firmly on 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Renowned for his aggressive strokeplay, Sooryavanshi has already piled up records across formats. He heads into IPL 2026 on the back of a stunning 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final, an innings that powered India to the title.
He was the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches in the Under-19 World Cup, averaging 62. 71 at a strike rate of 169. 49, including a century and three fifties.
He also smashed a record 30 sixes — the most in the tournament’s history. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said the season will be an important learning phase for the young batter, especially with opposition teams closely studying his game. Speaking on JioStar’s IPL show, Pathan explained that after succeeding across formats, Sooryavanshi now faces a new challenge as rivals have taken note of both his strengths and potential weaknesses.
“This season of the IPL for Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a learning one. He played in the tournament last year, he has played domestic cricket and he is playing cricket in all formats everywhere. He played in the Under-19 World Cup, he has taken part in the Ranji Trophy with Bihar, and he has scored runs everywhere," Pathan said.