Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A Rising Star in IPL 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the country. The 15-year-old from Samastipur, Bihar, is garnering attention both on and off the field with his record-breaking performances and growing stardom.

Warning from Former Cricketer Simon Doull

Despite the excitement surrounding his achievements, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull has offered a crucial word of caution. Sooryavanshi first attracted attention during the Under-19 World Cup final against England, where he delivered an explosive performance. This has since led to numerous endorsements and brand deals. However, Doull has raised concerns about the influences surrounding the young batter at such a critical juncture in his career.

“It is a word of caution. He already is a bit of a superstar. If things carry on, we all hope he will continue to be a superstar, an Indian superstar in white-ball cricket in particular," Doull stated on Cricbuzz.

The Importance of Good Management

Doull emphasized that Sooryavanshi’s management should prioritize his long-term growth over immediate financial gains. Many management companies, he cautions, tend to focus on short-term profits at the cost of nurturing young talent:

“Too many of them only think about looking out for themselves. How much can I make off this young man? How much can my company make off this young man? That’s the biggest issue I have with management companies worldwide,” he added.

Remarkable On-Field Performances

On the field, Sooryavanshi has certainly lived up to the hype. In IPL 2026, he has already scored two half-centuries, both at an astonishing pace of just 15 balls. This follows an extraordinary record from the previous season, where he made the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history, reaching 100 runs in just 35 balls against the Gujarat Titans.

However, the young talent faced a setback recently; he was dismissed for a golden duck by Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Praful Hinge. While this has added pressure, it doesn’t overshadow his overall impact on the season.

Caution Against External Influences

Doull reiterated the need for Sooryavanshi to remain vigilant about who he surrounds himself with:

“They all worry about what they can make, not how well I should be looking out for this young man? How much should I be looking out for his career?" he pointed out. “If you stop performing, they will chase the next big talent because that’s what managers do."

He added, “Just be careful who you surround yourself with. If he’s got a good family and upbringing, he would be okay. But just watch out for the sharks.”

Rajasthan Royals’ Recent Performance

In other IPL news, the Rajasthan Royals suffered their first defeat of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad after winning four consecutive matches. Batting first, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a challenging score of 216/6, led by captain Ishan Kishan’s brilliant innings of 91 runs. The Rajasthan Royals struggled in response, getting bowled out for just 159 runs, with the debutant Praful Hinge claiming three wickets, including Sooryavanshi.

As the IPL 2026 unfolds, all eyes will be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to see how he navigates the challenges of fame and the pressures of professional cricket.