India’s rising batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has set his sights on one of the most iconic records in T20 franchise cricket ahead of IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals star revealed a special record he would like to target in the cash-rich league.
Suryavanshi made the revelation during an interaction on the sidelines of the BCCI Naman Awards, where he was honoured along with the India Under-19 squad for winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe. The young batter has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket, and his bold ambition reflects the fearless approach that has already made him a fan favourite.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi honoured for India’s sixth U-19 World Cup triumph in Naman Awards
The awards ceremony celebrated the success of the Indian Under-19 team, which secured the country’s sixth U-19 World Cup title earlier this year. Suryavanshi played a key role in the tournament and was recognised alongside his teammates during the event.
During the ceremony, former Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson also shared a popular anecdote about Suryavanshi’s first meeting with legendary Indian cricketer and coach Rahul Dravid. According to Samson, the youngster impressed everyone with his fearless attitude even during that initial interaction, a trait that has since become a defining feature of his cricket.
The recognition at the awards further underlined Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in the game, especially after his impressive performances at both domestic and international youth levels.
Vaibhav on the record he is eyeing ahead in IPL 2026
While interacting with veteran cricket presenter Harsha Bhogle, Suryavanshi was asked to choose a record he would most like to achieve in the IPL. The options included hitting 6 sixes in an over, scoring the fastest century in IPL history, or surpassing legend Chris Gayle’s monumental 175-run innings.
Without hesitation, the young batter selected Gayle’s record-breaking knock as his dream milestone. Notably, Gayle’s 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Pune Warriors in 2013 remains the highest individual score in IPL history and is widely viewed as one of the most destructive T20 innings ever played. By naming that record as his target, Suryavanshi signaled his intent to push the boundaries of power-hitting in the tournament.
Here’s the video:
Boss Baby has his eyes set for this one!
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieve this feat in the #TATAIPL 2026
Watch BCCI Naman awards https://t.co/8W5zMWhfvk pic.twitter.com/CZ3xnzqifF
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 15, 2026
Also READ: Aakash Chopra points out the ‘weakness’ of Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026
Breakout IPL season raised expectations
Expectations surrounding Suryavanshi heading into IPL 2026 are extremely high, largely due to his sensational debut season in the tournament.
Playing for Rajasthan, the young opener delivered several match-winning performances and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most explosive batters. His standout moment came when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest centurion in IPL and men’s T20 history.
That blistering hundred was also the second-fastest century in IPL history, trailing only Gayle’s record-breaking effort. Suryavanshi’s fearless batting style and ability to dominate bowling attacks earned him the Super Striker of the Season award, cementing his reputation as a breakout star.
With his growing stature and remarkable performances, Suryavanshi is expected to play a crucial role for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL season. He is widely tipped to become the team’s permanent opening batter, particularly following the departure of Samson.
Also READ: Robin Uthappa explains why IPL 2026 will be a challenging season for Vaibhav Suryavanshi
