![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777734881192_VaibhavSooryavanshi.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AP]
There has been considerable online chatter surrounding the age of Rajasthan Royals prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A section of fans have even engaged in unfounded online speculation about age discrepancies on the youngster’s part.
However, the conversation took a bizarre turn during a commentary stint in the IPL 2026 when Ravi Shastri mistakenly referred to the youngster as a “51-year-old”. While the moment was clearly a slip of the tongue, it was nonetheless an amusing mix-up that briefly added to the chatter surrounding the youngster.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes 51-year-old in CSK vs MI
In match number 44 of the IPL 2026 season as being played out in Chennai between hosts Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians franchises, a live graphic appeared on screen of five players with the highest number of sixes this season so far.
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Ravi Shastri, who was commentating at the time, praised table-topper Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his six-hitting fest in the tournament. The former Indian coach and veteran commentator even accidentally referred Sooryavanshi as a “51-year-old”, instead of the 15-year-old kid he is.
Ravi Shastri said “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on top! The 51-year-old… 15-year-old with 37 sixes.”
When Hardik Pandya called Sooryavanshi a 17-year-old
Earlier this IPL 2026 season itself, Mumbai Indians captain and senior Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya also mistook Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s age. However, the cricketer mistakenly called the cricketer a “17 or 16-year-old boy” instead.
Praising the young opener for his explosive innings earlier in the game, the Mumbai Indians captain said “It’s quite fascinating to see a 17 or a 16-year-old boy and playing the way he played. At the same point of time, discussing so much about him in the preparation leading up to the game.”
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Mumbai Indians bat first, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni still MIA
Ravi Shastri’s commentary goof-up aside, the Mumbai Indians franchise won the toss and opted to bat first in match number 44 of the IPL 2026 season. The visitors were rocked early by CSK’s in-form paceman Anshul Kamboj, who removed explosive opener Will Jacks for just a single in the second over of the match.
Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav scored some crucial runs in the middle overs, while number three Naman Dhir led Mumbai Indians’ counterattacking recovery with two brisk partnerships.
For the CSK franchise, ace spinner Noor Ahmad bagged the huge wickets of Rickelton as well as that of a struggling Tilak Varma. Debutant Ramakrishna Ghosh picked up the first wicket of his IPL career in the form of Suryakumar. The visitors eventually reached 109-4 around the 13-over mark.
Interestingly, both Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni were once again opted of their team’s playing XI for the match. While Sharma sustained a hamstring injury last month during a match against the RCB, Dhoni is struggling with a calf strain.
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