Buttler described Sooryavanshi as the defining attraction of IPL 2026.
England and Gujarat Titans (GT) wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has hailed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise, describing him as the breakout star and defining attraction of IPL 2026.
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Buttler stated that the teenage prodigy's massive impact and viral popularity transcended traditional cricket circles.
Playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sooryavanshi compiled 776 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, including one hundred, five half-centuries and an all-time record of 72 sixes. He made IPL history by sweeping five major individual awards, including the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player (MVP).
“Vaibhav, I think, took home five or six of those trophies. RCB are obviously the story of the IPL because they won it, but I feel like Vaibhav almost was the IPL this year,” Buttler said.
“At his age, to be MVP of the tournament, score 700-plus runs, more than anyone else, and at a faster strike rate than everyone else, it was amazing to watch,” he added.
Buttler highlighted that the sheer magnitude of Sooryavanshi's fame before playing international cricket, with fans turning up in huge numbers specifically to watch the teenager.
“His impact is unbelievable. Seeing it in India, he’s the guy everyone’s talking about,” Buttler stated.
“I was chatting to Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale and he was saying that in Kolkata, half the stadium had turned up just to watch Vaibhav. People were wearing Rajasthan Royals shirts with his name on the back. Imagine that pressure at 15.”
The former England captain praised Sooryavanshi for brilliantly handling this intense media spotlight and pressure.
“He seems to soak it all up. There’s even a song that plays when he’s batting. Whether Rajasthan Royals created it or the tournament did, I don’t know. But it’s all part of the show. The level of fame he’s achieved before playing international cricket just shows the pull of the IPL and how big it is.”
Buttler also backed the youngster to enjoy a long and successful career, while expressing excitement about the possibility of English fans seeing him play in the UK during the summer
“I actually think there’s a good chance we might see him in England this summer. If we do, it’ll be pretty cool because he’s one of those players that everyone wants to watch. You can sense it around the ground. Players, support staff, fans – everyone is intrigued. If we get to see him in England this summer, it will be special,” he remarked.