After a record-shattering IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, the Bihar teenager earned a historic India call-up, surpassing long-standing age milestones in Indian cricket
New Delhi: Indian cricket has ushered in a new era with the selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has become the youngest player ever to earn a senior national team call-up.
The Bihar-born batter’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. After dominating age-group cricket and impressing at the Under-19 level, Sooryavanshi forced his way into national contention through a sensational IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals.
The teenage opener finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at an average of 48.50 and a remarkable strike rate of 237.30. His explosive batting earned him the coveted Orange Cap and established him as one of the season’s biggest stars.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar justified the decision by stating that the youngster had effectively “picked himself” through his performances, highlighting the impact he made in one of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues.
Sooryavanshi also rewrote the record books by smashing 72 sixes, surpassing the previous single-season benchmark held by Chris Gayle. His campaign featured a memorable century and several match-winning knocks, including a blistering 103-run innings.
In addition to the Orange Cap, he collected multiple honours, including Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season, and Super Sixes of the Season.
From Bihar’s cricketing circuit to the Indian dressing room in record time, Sooryavanshi’s journey signals the arrival of one of the country’s most exciting young talents.
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