Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is poised to capture significant attention in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), set to begin on March 28. He has already showcased his extraordinary batting prowess, both in the IPL and at the Under-19 level for India. Known for hitting towering sixes, Suryavanshi has become a rare talent in T20 cricket. In his first IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals in 2025, he made headlines by becoming the youngest cricketer to score a century and the fastest Indian to achieve the milestone, completing it in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans.
As the new IPL season approaches, an interesting statement from Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has come to light. He shared that Rajasthan Royals’ net bowlers are hesitant to bowl to Vaibhav during practice sessions due to the sheer power he generates with his batting.
“He’s a very charming young guy. He used to come to Talegaon for practice, where the RR academy is located. That’s where I first got to know him. Then, we played together in Qatar, where I was the captain, and that’s when we really formed our bond,” Jitesh shared on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast on YouTube.
Commenting on Vaibhav’s incredible strength, Jitesh said, “It’s all natural; he’s incredibly strong. His wrists are larger than mine. I even gave him my watch to wear, and it was too tight for him.”
“Chhota Hulk hai woh (He’s like a baby Hulk). He swings his bat with such power that the bowler is scared that if he hits it straight, he might die. I know RR’s net bowlers, and they’ve told me they avoid pitching the ball up because he can drive it right back at them. So, they bowl short deliveries to keep him from hitting it back at them.”
Vaibhav first gained widespread attention when Rajasthan Royals spent a massive Rs 1.1 crore to buy him in the 2025 auction. He quickly proved his worth, scoring 252 runs in seven matches at an average of 36.00 and a remarkable strike rate of 206.56.
Brought into the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Sanju Samson, Vaibhav wasted no time making an impact. In just his second match, he smashed a record-breaking century against Gujarat Titans, solidifying his reputation as a rising star.
