According to former Indian batter Robin Uthappa, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's distinctive off-stump guard and backfoot positioning, akin to that of renowned captain MS Dhoni, have established a standard for future T20 batters. The 15-year-old dominated the 2026 season of IPL, hitting some of the finest new-ball overs to every corner of the field during the powerplay.
Sooryavanshi concluded with an incredible 776 runs with a strike rate of 237.30 and an average of above 48. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) advanced to the playoffs thanks to his exploits, which also earned him the Orange Cap for most runs and the Most Valuable Player award.
"What we are going to see because of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a whole change in batting technique. He has unlocked something that other players are going to leverage. His batting technique is that he doesn't go on the front foot a lot and stays on the back foot. MS Dhoni did that all the time, waiting on the back foot to get under the ball. You have to nail the yorker; that's the only option.
He bends over and stands slightly outside off stump, so he's waiting for you to pitch the ball at a good length, short, and bouncer. If you bowl anywhere there, which is where bowlers generally bowl, it becomes easy for him to score runs. So, he has unlocked something in batting that can be replicated and inculcated in young cricketers. We are on to something with what Vaibhav has shown us,” Uthappa said on the CommBoxTV YouTube channel.
Thanks to his brilliant IPL 2026 stats, Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up for the Ireland and England T20Is. He made his India debut against England and had a tough initiation in international cricket with 30-odd runs in his first three games.
He made a stellar return to form against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three innings, including the highest score of 81. He won the Player of the Series as well.
Uthappa further stated that IPL’s Orange Cap stipulation must evolve from valuing strike rates over most runs scored. To match the expanding demands of the format, several regular Orange Cap contenders, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, have increased their strike rates in recent IPL seasons.
"You need a cap for strike rate now and not for runs anymore. If you can have anywhere over 350 to 400 runs and have a high strike rate, then we give them the Orange Cap. The ones who have won it before, it's become obsolete. It's the way the game has to evolve," said Uthappa.
Sooryavanshi will likely be seen in action for India next in the Asian Games 2026.
