Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ended IPL 2026 with 776 runs. Image Credit- AFP
On Sunday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history, becoming the third team after CSK and MI to lift back-to-back IPL trophy. However, the IPL 2026 season belonged to the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who broke countless records in the big boys league.
After the BCCI announced a long list of award winners after the season concluded, Sooryavanshi swooped the IPL 2026 Orange Cap, the Most Valuable Player award, and the Emerging Player of the Year award.
As the Rajasthan Royals star registered 776 runs in 16 innings at a breathtaking strike rate of 237.31, he also bagged the Super Striker of the Season, along with Most Sixes of the Season and Fantasy King of the Season awards.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi swoops multiple IPL 2026 awards
Interestingly, as the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged the Super Striker, he also bagged a car from the league's title sponsor. He also won INR 65 lakh as a money prize. However, the winning car is of no use for Sooryavanshi.
Apart from these allocates, the child prodigy will earn INR 1.10 crore as his IPL salary from the Royals, who finished at third place after losing to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.
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Why is IPL 2026 winning car of no use for Sooryavanshi?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged countless records while playing his second IPL season and ending the season with the fifth most runs scored in a single season.
For his remarkable accomplishment, the 15-year-old kid won a car as he bagged the Super Striker of the Season award in IPL 2026. However, he legally can't drive that car. In India, a person needs to be 18 to obtain a driving license.
Although a person can ride no-gear motorcycles (up to 50cc) at 16 years of age, the minimum age to drive a car or other Light Motor Vehicles remains 18. Thus, Sooryavanshi can't drive for at least the next three years.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at selectors' radar
With the world at his feet, pundits are asking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be fast-tracked to the Indian set-up soon. However, the national selectors have kept a close eye on the prodigal batter and picked him in the India A squad for the upcoming Tri-Series in Sri Lanka.
Having said that, the left-handed batter is not far from earning his maiden national call-up, with reports referring to a potential call-up either in the squad for the Ireland tour or the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Conclusion by writer: Should Sooryavanshi be fast-tracked?
There is no doubt that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a generational talent, and not many can match his credentials at 15.
He certainly smashed the world-beaters like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada throughout the tournament, but international cricket would bring a whole new set of challenges.
Thus, the BCCI would need to cotton-wool the Bihar-born as he has the potential to serve India for decades to come. Meanwhile, the teenager would need to work on his fitness standards before receiving an India call.
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