With the Indian Premier League 2026 set to begin in just six days, all eyes are once again on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy, who turns 15 this Friday, returns after a spectacular debut last year when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Giants, leaving fans and bowlers stunned. That innings made him the youngest centurion in IPL history and the fastest Indian to reach three figures, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s record.Sooryavanshi’s rise has been meteoric. During the IPL mega auction for the 2025 season, he secured a deal worth Rs 1.1 crore with Rajasthan Royals, making him the youngest player ever to be signed. Over the past year, he has dominated across continents, scoring centuries in Australia, South Africa, and England. His crowning moment came in the Under-19 World Cup final against England, where he scored a match-winning 175 off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes each. His 55-ball century is among the fastest in Under-19 World Cup history, helping India lift the trophy for a sixth time.But as IPL 2026 approaches, Sooryavanshi faces new challenges. Bowlers are believed to have studied his game and will look to expose weaknesses. His talent is unquestionable, and many see him as a potential trailblazer and future legend. Yet, not everyone is convinced about his professional approach.On AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Jitesh Sharma, who captained Sooryavanshi during India A’s Asia Cup campaign last year, praised the youngster’s skill but expressed doubts about his off-field habits. “Right now, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I feel he can dominate world cricket. He has gear No. 6 and a very good set of skills,” Sharma said when asked which youngster he would invest in.De Villiers, who watched Sooryavanshi’s 175-run masterclass in the Under-19 World Cup final, was full of admiration. “He’s a great player. I watched him in the Under-19s. It’s not always easy when you get the taste of IPL and big cricket, and still show the same kind of standard. I was very impressed with the way he played in that World Cup. Very professional. He’s very mature for his age,” said the former South African captain.De Villiers added that Sooryavanshi stayed true to his game plan, replicating the approach he used in the IPL, without arrogance or trying to be someone else. “But he will get professional,” he said.Sharma, however, was more sceptical. “He’s not professional. I can tell you that. Everyone is trying to get him to be professional, but I don’t think he will ever get professional. He may be on the field, but off the field, he won’t. I’m trying my best. I ask him not to have ice-cream in the night,” he added.
