How Rajasthan Royals Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became IPL 2026s biggest star

Rajasthan Royals may have fallen short in IPL 2026, but their biggest takeaway from the season walked away as the tournament’s breakout star. In Friday’s qualifier, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again lit up the stage with a blistering 96 off 47 balls against Gujarat Titans, ending a dream season in which he smashed 776 runs, broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing sixes record and emerged as the face of a new generation of Indian batting. His performances have now sparked conversations around an India call-up, with Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara publicly backing the teenager for the next level.

But before the IPL spotlight, the endorsements and the growing celebrity status, Vaibhav's story began in a small village in Bihar. 

Born in Samastipur district, Vaibhav grew up in a modest family where cricket quickly became more than a hobby. His father, Sanjiv Sooryavanshi, played a central role in nurturing that dream. As per reports, Sanjiv sold ancestral farmland to fund his son’s cricket training, coaching and travel expenses as the family chased a dream that seemed improbable at the time. 

Also Read: IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals teen star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sends IPL record books crashing down

The sacrifices slowly began paying off.

Even before becoming a household name, Vaibhav had started making waves in age-group cricket. Coaches and scouts took notice of his power-hitting, fearless approach and ability to dominate bowlers much older than him. His rise through Bihar cricket was rapid, and he soon became one of the most talked-about teenage talents in the country.

His breakthrough into mainstream cricket came when Rajasthan Royals signed him ahead of the IPL. Reports said he was in Dubai when the franchise picked him for Rs 1.1 crore, making him one of the youngest players to secure an IPL deal. The auction moment transformed him from a promising youngster into one of Indian cricket’s most closely watched prospects.

Then came IPL 2026.

What followed was one of the most remarkable seasons by a teenager in franchise cricket. Vaibhav finished the season with 776 runs in 16 matches, ended as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and smashed more sixes in a season than Chris Gayle’s previous record. His fearless batting became a defining storyline of the tournament.

Among his most memorable knocks was a blistering 97 off just 29 balls in the IPL eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The innings, packed with 12 sixes, drew praise from former cricketers, commentators and analysts across the cricket world.

Even after Rajasthan Royals exited the tournament, Vaibhav continued making headlines. In the second qualifier against Gujarat Titans, he smashed 96 off 47 balls and once again emerged as Rajasthan’s standout performer despite the defeat.

His performances have now triggered conversations around an India call-up. Sangakkara recently said the teenager has shown he is ready for the next level, while several former players have echoed similar views.

Brands have already entered the picture

One of the biggest brands to sign him so far is Complan. In February 2026, Zydus Wellness-owned Complan announced Vaibhav as its brand ambassador and launched a nationwide campaign titled ‘Thoda Plan, Thoda Complan’. The campaign positioned him as a symbol of discipline, planning and consistent effort, while also featuring the role of family support in his journey. 

In campaign material released by the brand, Vaibhav spoke about growing up with Complan and linked the product to his training years, while the advertisements focused on routines, preparation and nutrition. The campaign was rolled out across television, digital platforms and influencer-led activations. 

According to cricket reports, Vaibhav is attracting interest from leading tyre manufacturers, including MRF and CEAT, with sponsorship figures reportedly reaching unprecedented levels for a player his age.

A report by CricTracker, claimed that the Rajasthan Royals batter has been offered a massive bat sponsorship package worth more than Rs 12 crore annually. The report described him as one of the hottest commercial properties in Indian cricket after his record-breaking IPL campaign, with one of the interested sponsors even offering him a blank cheque to secure his endorsement.

First Published on May 31, 2026, 12:21:02 IST