At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as a remarkable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL), smashing multiple records with his explosive batting performances for Rajasthan Royals (RR). In a recent eliminator match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Sooryavanshi scored a blistering 97 runs off 29 balls, including 12 sixes and five fours, propelling his team to victory. This innings not only highlighted his power-hitting prowess but also allowed him to surpass Chris Gayle’s previous IPL record for the most sixes in a single season.

Sooryavanshi now holds the record with 65 sixes in the 2026 IPL season, eclipsing Gayle’s total of 59 sixes in 2012. His strike rate in the tournament stands at an extraordinary 242.85, with a six hit every 4.3 balls. He has accumulated 680 runs in 15 innings, batting at an average of 45.33, and has registered one century and four half-centuries this season. Much of his scoring comes from boundaries, with nearly 89 percent of his runs coming from fours and sixes.

Sooryavanshi has also made history by hitting 10 or more sixes in an IPL innings on four occasions, three of which occurred this season, equaling Gayle’s record for the most such innings. Additionally, he holds the record for the most sixes in an IPL knockout or playoff innings—12 sixes surpassing Shubman Gill’s previous best of 10. His 97 runs represent the second-highest score for Rajasthan Royals in an IPL knockout match, trailing only Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 106 in 2022.

The teenager’s dominance extends to the powerplay overs, where he has hit eight sixes—breaking the previous record of seven set by Sanath Jayasuriya in 2008. Sooryavanshi has scored 490 runs in the powerplay this season, overtaking David Warner’s 467 in 2016 and registering five 50-plus scores during powerplays, behind only Warner’s six. His rapid scoring in high-pressure situations is underscored by five half-centuries scored in fewer than 20 balls, tying with notable players like Suresh Raina.

Beyond IPL, Sooryavanshi made headlines earlier this year with an impressive 175 from 80 balls, including 15 sixes, in the under-19 World Cup final, signaling his potential on the international stage. Observers have praised his natural talent and composure, with notable cricketers like Jos Buttler describing him as a humble yet extraordinary batter.

Sooryavanshi’s age has been confirmed by his family amid common concerns about birth record accuracy in rural India. His father, Sanjeev, has even taken measures such as bone density tests to verify his son’s age as 15 years and 63 days.

With the Rajasthan Royals advancing to face Gujarat Titans for a spot in the IPL final and India’s upcoming T20 series in England, many expect Sooryavanshi to become a key figure in both domestic and international cricket in the near future. His record-breaking performances have already established him as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.