Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the most amazing batter of the IPL 2026 season after performing tremendously for Rajasthan Royals. The explosive opener finished as the tournament's highest run-getter, piling up 776 runs. His breathtaking power-hitting ability was on full display as he tonked 72 sixes during the season, setting a new IPL record. With the help of a barrage of sixes, he comfortably broke the long-standing record of 59 sixes, previously held by Chris Gayle from the 2012 edition. 

Recently, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara shared a fascinating story that justified the youngster's confidence. Recalling a run chase against Lucknow Super Giants, Sangakkara revealed that Sooryavanshi came into the dressing room and confidently said that he was going to smash around 13 sixes during the innings. The left-handed batter then went on to launch 10 sixes in the chase. 

"This year, we were playing Lucknow Super Giants. We had to chase 220 to win the game and stay in the competition. We fielded first. Vaibhav is walking out; he looks at me, he winks, and says, 'Coach, don't worry. It's done.' He walks into the dressing room and tells Donovan Ferreira and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 'Listen, the two of you. I am going to hit 13 sixes now. And once I do that, you just do the rest.' He hit 10. And when he was on five sixes, Donovan and Pretorius thought, 'What is he talking about?' Then they suddenly sat down and said, 'We better start counting this down because this kid is actually going to do it.' So, that is the level of confidence he has as a 15-year old," Kumar Sangakkara said on Sky Sports.

As of now, Sooryavanshi is in India's T20I squads for the series against Ireland and England, having earned his maiden India call-up through his formidable campaign at the IPL. India, however, left Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the first T20I against Ireland that was held on Friday in Belfast. The men in blue suffered a 34-run defeat, making the second and final T20I incredibly crucial.