‘Generational talent’ - Krunal Pandya left awestruck by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 heroics

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya has joined the long list of cricketers heaping praise on Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following the youngster’s remarkable IPL 2026 campaign.

Sooryavanshi emerged as the biggest revelation of the season, captivating fans and experts alike with his fearless batting and extraordinary consistency. The 15-year-old opener finished as the leading run-scorer of IPL 2026, amassing 776 runs from 16 innings at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30.

The left-hander also etched his name into the tournament’s history books by smashing 72 sixes during the season, surpassing the previous record of 59 maximums held by Chris Gayle.

Despite Rajasthan Royals falling short of a place in the final, Sooryavanshi delivered several memorable performances throughout the tournament. His blistering 97 off just 29 deliveries in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad played a crucial role in keeping RR’s title hopes alive, while his explosive 96 in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans once again showcased his immense potential.

Among the bowlers who had a first-hand experience of facing the teenage prodigy was Krunal Pandya. The RCB all-rounder even managed to dismiss Sooryavanshi during their league-stage encounter in Guwahati and reflected on that battle during a recent interaction. Krunal recalled his encounter with the youngster and admitted he was thoroughly impressed by what he witnessed.

“Oh, yeah. We played one game against RR in Guwahati. In fact, I got his wicket as well,” Krunal told Times of India.The veteran all-rounder went on to describe Sooryavanshi as a rare talent and praised his ability to perform at such a high level despite his age.

“But boy, what a talent! At 15! Generational talent. To bat like that at 15. Even if you are 30, 40, or 25, to bat like this is commendable. But 15? And he’s not just slogging. That boy has brains,” he continued.

Krunal further highlighted the youngster’s innings in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, noting that his game awareness and temperament set him apart from many power-hitters.

“Look at how he batted in Qualifier-2 vs GT. He played the situation. I’m very eager to see how he continues his journey forward in the next ten years,” Krunal said.

Sooryavanshi’s sensational season has already sparked conversations about his long-term future in Indian cricket. While expectations around the teenager continue to rise, his performances in IPL 2026 have undoubtedly established him as one of the brightest young talents in the game.