Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary IPL 2026 campaign continues to earn admiration from across the cricketing world, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya becoming the latest high-profile name to praise the Rajasthan Royals wonderkid. The 15-year-old left-hander was undoubtedly the breakout star of the season, producing a string of breathtaking performances that established him as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket.
Sooryavanshi finished IPL 2026 as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30.His fearless approach and remarkable consistency made him a nightmare for opposition bowlers throughout the season. The teenage sensation also rewrote the record books by smashing 72 sixes, eclipsing the previous IPL record of 59 maximums held by Chris Gayle.
Although Rajasthan Royals fell short of reaching the final, Sooryavanshi played a pivotal role in their impressive playoff run. His explosive 97 off just 29 balls in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad kept RR’s title hopes alive, while his brilliant 96 in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans highlighted his maturity and ability to handle pressure on the big stage.
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One of the bowlers who got an up-close look at Sooryavanshi’s talent was Krunal Pandya. The experienced RCB all-rounder dismissed the youngster during their league-stage clash in Guwahati, but admitted that the teenager left a lasting impression on him.
Reflecting on that encounter, Krunal praised Sooryavanshi’s exceptional skill set and cricketing intelligence. “Oh, yeah. We played one game against RR in Guwahati. In fact, I got his wicket as well,” Krunal Pandya told Times of India. “But boy, what a talent! At 15! Generational talent. To bat like that at 15. Even if you are 30, 40, or 25, to bat like this is commendable. But 15? And he’s not just slogging. That boy has brains,” he added.
Krunal was particularly impressed with Sooryavanshi’s innings against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, pointing out that the youngster displayed game awareness well beyond his years.
“Look at how he batted in Qualifier-2 vs GT. He played the situation. I’m very eager to see how he continues his journey forward in the next ten years,” Krunal Pandya said.
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With former players, coaches, and current stars continuing to hail his performances, Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 season has firmly positioned him as one of Indian cricket’s brightest prospects. While expectations will naturally grow, the teenager has already shown that he possesses not only the power but also the temperament to succeed at the highest level.
