Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Labelled As 'Best Player At...'

Jos Buttler speaks about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP]

Over the past few months, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's credentials as a T20 player has gone through the roofs after he has proven himself in his second IPL season on the bounce. Having already scored 440 runs after 11 innings of IPL 2026, he is striking at a whopping 236.55 as the leading six-hitter of the season.

Among his admirers has also been Jos Buttler, who has openly praised the wonderkid on his podcast with Stuart Broad previously. However, as the Gujarat Titans took on the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday night, Buttler went a step further and spoke his heart out to Sooryavanshi himself.

Buttler sings praises for Sooryavanshi

GT toppled RR by a massive margin of 77 runs on the night, improving their net run rate. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi still stood apart, scoring 36 off 16 with three fours and three sixes in the match.

Buttler then took time to meet the southpaw after the match alongside RR’s manager Romi Bhinder and shared some words of encouragement.

“I said don’t get him too excited, but he is the best player I have ever seen at this age. Imagine when he is 21 or 25. World at his feet — so good to watch,” he said.

As he went on to shake hands with Sooryavanshi, he also took a jibe at him for the incredible 175 scored against England in the U19 World Cup final recently, letting him know that he broke English hearts.

“And you have broken English hearts in the U19 World Cup. It’s awesome.” As RR’s manager told Buttler about Sooryavanshi’s admiration for the English legend, Buttler said that he will replicate the success he had with the franchise as well: “That freedom is so good to watch,” he concluded.

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Sooryavanshi eyes maiden Orange Cap in IPL 2026

In his young IPL career, the star teenager has already held the Orange Cap on multiple occasions in the ongoing season. Currently, with 440 runs in 11 innings, he is 5th on the leaderboard, well within the touching distance of the top-scorer Heinrich Klaasen, who hs 494 runs in 11 innings.

Sooryavanshi has also scored two fifites and a hundred with the help of 40 sixes. No other batter has scored more sixes this season. He recently also broke records like becoming the fastest to 1000 T20 runs and the fastest to 100 sixes in the format.

In the worst case scenario, even if RR crashes out from the league phase, he has 3 innings to go to the top of the leaderboard and replicate Jos Buttler's success from 2022, where he scored 863 runs.

How can RR still qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs?

Currently, RR are placed 5th on the table, level on points with RCB with an extra match played. They have 12 points with 6 wins and 5 losses but their net run rate has taken a jolt after the loss against GT.

With three matches remaining, their fate remains in their hands. All three wins take them through without any fuss, but even two wins will be enough for them, considering others will play four-pointers for the top-4.

Also Read: PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Flexes Muscles For Pakistan's Record-Breaking Achievements