IPL 2026: RR vs CSK –The IPL 2026 season has found its first major superstar in 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) prodigy left fans and experts speechless in his opening game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Chasing a target of 128 in Guwahati, the youngster smashed a half-century in just 15 balls, recording the third-fastest fifty in the history of the Indian Premier League.
His fearless knock, filled with four boundaries and five massive sixes, helped the Royals finish the chase in just 12.1 overs. While his batting was serious, the post-match conversation was full of humor.
The ‘Rajbhog’ Secret: A Sweet Success
After the match, Rajasthan Royals teammate Dhruv Jurel caught up with the wonder-kid to congratulate him on his explosive innings. “Well played, youngster. Once again, very well played,” Jurel told him in a video shared by the franchise.
When asked about the secret behind his power-hitting, Sooryavanshi gave a hilarious response in Hindi. “Aaj Rajbhog mithai kha ke gaya tha match mein,” he said, credited his performance to eating the traditional Indian sweet dish before walking out to bat.
BCCI Experts Blown Away: ‘He Toyed With the Attack’
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar was full of praise for how the teenager handled an international-quality bowling unit. Speaking on JioStar, Bangar noted that Sooryavanshi did not just score runs but actually got into the heads of the bowlers.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was a class apart. He dominated a good bowling attack. He took on Matt Henry, a new-ball bowler who challenges top batters internationally. He toyed with Khaleel Ahmed and even made life difficult for mystery bowler Noor Ahmad,” Bangar said. He added that the boy’s fearless approach forced established bowlers to move away from their strengths and try slower deliveries in desperation.
Wisdom Beyond His Years
Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim also highlighted that despite his young age, Sooryavanshi showed immense maturity. Even though he batted at a strike rate of over 250, he wasn’t just slogging blindly.
“He is becoming very sagacious now, and one can sense there is some kind of wisdom in the way he executes his shots. The intent remains the same. There is aggression. There is this intent of clearing the boundary whenever he gets an opportunity,” Karim told JioStar.
With 252 runs already to his name from the previous season and a historic start to 2026, Sooryavanshi has confirmed that he is the most exciting talent in Indian cricket right now. If he continues this “Rajbhog-powered” form, Rajasthan Royals look like the team to beat this year.
