Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks Chris Gayle's IPL record

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image: X)

After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, the 15-year-old sensation not only powered Rajasthan Royals into Qualifier 2 but also shattered one of Chris Gayle’s iconic IPL records. Sooryavanshi surpassed Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a single IPL season and now sits at the top with an astonishing 65 sixes this year. Remarkably, he could still add to that tally if Rajasthan Royals progress to the IPL 2026 final. Rajasthan Royals stormed into Qualifier 2 with a dominant 47-run victory after posting a massive 243/8, courtesy of Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings. In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for 196, with Jofra Archer starring during the powerplay with three crucial wickets. Speaking on Star Sports’ JioStar show, former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra analysed what makes Sooryavanshi such a destructive T20 batter and predicted that the teenager could one day reach an unimaginable milestone, 100 sixes in a single IPL season. “It all starts with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s backlift. That generates immense power. He has a very solid base at the crease and mostly likes to hit straight down the ground or towards the leg side, where he can use his bottom hand effectively,” Chopra explained. “But some of the shots he played also showed maturity. For example, the way he waited and then lofted the slower ball from Sakib over covers, that was special. He paused, held his shape, and then unleashed the shot.” Chopra believes Sooryavanshi represents a new generation of pure T20 cricketers who have grown up entirely around the format’s fearless approach.

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“He is reminding us what a batter can become if they grow up on a T20-only diet. Fearlessness is simply in his DNA. Right now, we are all shocked by what he has achieved, but in the next five years, we may be talking about him breaking his own records,” Chopra said. “Chris Gayle was a legendary T20 player, but he also had a Test triple century. Vaibhav is different. He has focused almost entirely on T20 cricket from a very young age. This is exactly the kind of player he always wanted to become.” The former India opener then made a stunning prediction about the teenager’s future. “He has already hit 65 sixes this season. He might get to 70 in the next game itself. And who knows? Maybe next season, or the one after that, he could even hit 100 sixes in a single IPL season,” Chopra added.

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