Devdutt Padikkal Praises Teenage Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as "Rare Talent"

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal has showered praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a “rare talent” and admitting that trying to replicate his batting style would be “foolish. ” In IPL 2026, both Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Devdutt Padikkal have emerged as two of the most destructive left-handed batters in the tournament, captivating fans with their fearless strokeplay and explosive scoring. Their connection reached a historic milestone on May 19 during a crucial clash against Lucknow Super Giants, when the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi hammered a sensational 93 off just 38 deliveries. The innings helped him become the youngest batter in world cricket history to score 500-plus runs in a T20 tournament season. In the process, Sooryavanshi broke a record previously held by Padikkal, who had scored 580 runs as a 19-year-old during the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. Interestingly, both left-handers have also played key tactical roles for their respective franchises this season, often being used as Impact Players to strengthen batting depth and accelerate scoring during crucial phases. Speaking on JioStar, Padikkal praised the young prodigy’s extraordinary power-hitting ability and maturity at such a young age. “What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 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,” Padikkal said. “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,” he added. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 579 runs in 13 innings, while Devdutt Padikkal has amassed 412 runs in 12 innings in the ongoing IPL 2026 league stage.