New Delhi: The IPL (Indian Premier League) 2026 showcased an outstanding performance by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who played his inaugural full season with the Rajasthan Royals. He emerged as a key player, securing the IPL orange cap by amassing 776 runs in 16 matches.
Sooryavanshi’s remarkable achievements have garnered significant attention, with many fans advocating for his inclusion in the Indian national team. Former England cricketer Steve Finn expressed his support, suggesting that Sooryavanshi should be expedited into the Indian squad.
“I would love to see him in an Indian shirt in the UK summer,” Finn stated in a video on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ YouTube channel. “The problem is India is the world champions, and it’ll be an incredibly tough call on those opening the batting now. Yet, whoever he replaces, he would make the team better.”
Finn noted the impressive consistency Sooryavanshi demonstrated throughout the season, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 236 while scoring over 700 runs against top-tier bowlers. “To sustain that for a full season as a 15-year-old is mind-blowing,” he added. While some critics identify the yorker as his primary weakness, Finn remarked, “That’s so tough to execute with the new ball that if that’s your only weakness, you would almost take that.”
Looking Ahead to IPL 2027
Sooryavanshi will return to play for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2027 season, eager to build on his initial success. His standout performances contributed to the Royals reaching Qualifier 2 in the tournament, raising anticipation for how the team will perform in the upcoming edition.
