Few players have captured the imagination of cricket fans quite like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did during the IPL 2026. In what was his first full season in the tournament, the 15 years old Rajasthan Royals batter delivered performances that stunned opponents, experts and supporters alike. Competing alongside some of the biggest stars in world cricket, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not only held his own but frequently outperformed them, leading many to call for an India call-up despite his young age.
His numbers were nothing short of extraordinary. The left-hander amassed 776 runs during the season at a remarkable strike rate of 237.31. Along the way, he struck 63 fours and a record-breaking 72 sixes, producing one of the most explosive batting campaigns in the IPL history. The scale of his achievement has already led to comparisons with legends such as Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar.
Although Rajasthan Royals’ journey ended with a defeat in the second qualifier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remained one of the biggest attractions at the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. Before Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second IPL trophy, the teenager was repeatedly called to the stage to collect a series of individual awards recognising his outstanding season.
By the end of the evening, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had earned a total of ₹55 lakh in prize money and also won an SUV. However, at just 15 years old, he will have to wait for at least three more years before he can legally drive it himself.
The Orange Cap, awarded to the tournament’s highest run-scorer, brought him ₹10 lakh after he finished on top of the batting charts. He then received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, worth ₹15 lakh, after accumulating 436.5 MVP points, a measure of a player’s overall impact throughout the season.
His fearless batting style also earned him the Super Striker of the Season award and another ₹10 lakh, thanks to his incredible strike rate of 237.31. The Emerging Player of the Season honour followed, bringing an additional ₹10 lakh after he impressed against elite bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada.
The final award celebrated perhaps his most remarkable achievement. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered Chris Gayle’s 16-year-old IPL record of 59 sixes in a season, set in 2012, by smashing an astonishing 72 maximums. That feat earned him the Super Sixes of the Season award and another ₹10 lakh.
Five major awards, ₹55 lakh in prize money, an SUV, 776 runs, and multiple records broken, the IPL 2026 firmly belonged to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
