Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s astonishing IPL 2026 campaign earned another major endorsement on Friday, with Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada admitting the Rajasthan Royals teenager continues to amaze everyone watching him.
The 15-year-old once again produced a breathtaking innings in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash in New Chandigarh, smashing 96 off just 47 deliveries against one of the tournament’s most hostile pace attacks.
Although Rajasthan Royals’ campaign ended in a seven-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans, Vaibhav emerged as the standout performer yet again before Rabada finally dismissed him in the 18th over.
“He just keeps amazing everyone who watches the game. He's got such fast hands, and he picks length quickly. He's got so much energy,” Rabada told JioHotstar.
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Vaibhav showcased his extraordinary range despite Rajasthan Royals losing two early wickets, which prompted the youngster to take a more measured approach on the night.
His half-century came off 31 balls - his slowest fifty of IPL 2026 - yet he still finished with a strike rate in excess of 200.
“When you're young, you have so much energy and no fear, and that's exactly what he's shown, no fear and just a natural instinct for the game that allows him to perform the way he is performing.”
“At this stage, you throw age out of the window; it doesn't matter how old he is. It's amazing what he's doing,” he added.
One of the defining moments of the contest arrived in the fourth over when Vaibhav launched a 153-kph hard-length delivery from Rabada straight back over the sightscreen for a stunning 91-metre six.
Rabada later struck the youngster on the helmet with a sharp short ball, but Vaibhav immediately resumed his assault, continuing to take on one of world cricket’s premier fast bowlers without hesitation.
The knock also helped Vaibhav achieve another milestone. During the innings, he became the fastest batter in IPL history to complete 1000 runs in terms of balls faced.
Vaibhav reached the landmark in just 440 deliveries, shattering Andre Russell’s previous record of 545 balls. He also became the fastest Indian to 1000 IPL runs in terms of innings, getting there in only 23 knocks.
The teenager finished IPL 2026 with 776 runs in 16 matches, including five fifties and a century, firmly establishing himself as the breakout star of the season.
