In the world of sports, everyone loves talking about the next generation of rising stars. Just like the football world cannot stop admiring the unreal potential of 18-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal, the cricketing world is equally fascinated by 15-year-old future Indian superstar batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the streets of Bihar.
With the intent to attack from the outset against some of the best bowlers in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 edition, the young Rajasthan Royals batting sensation has clearly showcased an abundance of talent in his repertoire at just 15. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that several former legends and current players have come out in numbers to acknowledge his world-class skills.
With consistent performances, scoring 579 runs so far at an enormous strike rate of nearly 240 while also remaining in contention for the Orange Cap at just 15 in only his second IPL season, the young RR opener has found a new admirer in Devdutt Padikkal. The 25-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru top-order batter is himself enjoying one of his best IPL seasons following a standout 2025-26 domestic campaign with Karnataka, and has finally reaped the rewards with a comeback to the Indian Test squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan following IPL 2026 in early June.
In a recent interaction, when Padikkal was asked about what makes Sooryavanshi special, he particularly highlighted the enormous power the youngster generates with such ease at the top level, facing fierce deliveries over 140 kph and effortlessly sending them over the boundary for sixes. The left-handed batter further stressed that making comparisons with Sooryavanshi would be “foolish for anyone,” adding that he prefers to stick to his own gameplay and batting style rather than trying to replicate the 15-year-old’s approach and make changes based on that impression.
“What Vaibhav Suryavanshi does is truly unique. At his age, to have that kind of power and explosiveness in his batting is special. Honestly, it would be foolish for anyone to try to copy him. He is a rare talent, and what he does is incredible.
For me, I focus on my own strengths and try to get the best out of myself. I don’t compare myself with others because there are so many talented players in this tournament. I keep it simple and work on improving my own game as much as I can,” Padikkal said while speaking on JioStar.
While both batters have been highly effective this season, they bring completely different styles of batting to the table and, as Padikkal highlighted, it is better to focus on improving his own game rather than taking inspiration from the aggressive intent and fearless approach of young Sooryavanshi.
Padikkal shinning in IPL 2026
Padikkal’s ability to anchor the innings, shift gears according to match situations, and keep the scoreboard moving in line with the demands of modern T20 cricket has particularly stood out this season. He has so far scored 412 runs, including three half-centuries in 12 innings, and has certainly repaid RCB’s faith after returning to the setup in 2025 following short stints with Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals, where he failed to replicate the numbers from his breakthrough IPL 2020 campaign, during which he amassed 473 runs for RCB.
Both the left-handed batters have certainly taken the IPL by storm this season, and the acknowledgement of each other’s styles of play reflects the healthy competitive spirit within the Indian setup, while also giving fans confidence that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands.
