Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines: Is India's 15-Year-Old T20 Opener the Best in the World?
Teenagers are making headlines in various sports, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 15 years old, is taking the IPL by storm. In an astonishing season, he has hit a record 72 sixes across 16 innings, averaging 4.5 sixes per game. His remarkable performance has led him to score 776 runs from only 327 deliveries, boasting an extraordinary strike-rate of 237.30. Sooryavanshi's sixes far exceed the previous IPL record of 59, set by Chris Gayle in 2012. Notably, he fell just short of an IPL-record 29-ball hundred, finishing with 97 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has even declared him "the best T20 opener in the world." While the debate over the world's best T20 opener remains subjective, Sooryavanshi's competitors include fellow Indians Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in T20Is, respectively. The IPL season has seen him achieve: 521 runs in the powerplay, a record for all IPL editions A 36-ball hundred against Sunrisers Hyderabad Scores of 78 from 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Despite his youth, Sooryavanshi's maturity is evident, especially during pressure situations, as he showcased against Gujarat Titans. Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara believes he is ready for international challenges. As India prepares for a tour of England this summer, there are questions about whether they will include Sooryavanshi, given the competition for spots. However, his exceptional talent and recent performances make a compelling case for his selection. With the cricketing world watching, it may be time for India to embrace this young prodigy.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-05-30