Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Jos Buttler Backs RR Prodigy to Break Chris Gayle’s Six-Hitting Record
The Rise of a New T20 Phenom
In the high-stakes theater of the Indian Premier League, few narratives have captured the imagination quite like that of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals sensation has not just impressed; he has dominated the 2026 season with an aggressive brand of cricket that has left seasoned veterans and legends of the game in absolute awe. Among those closely tracking his ascent are England’s white-ball maestro Jos Buttler and former pace spearhead Stuart Broad.
Buttler and Broad in Awe of the Prodigy
Speaking on the popular podcast For the Love of Cricket, Buttler and Broad shared their genuine disbelief regarding Sooryavanshi’s ball-striking capabilities. The youngster has been a constant presence at the top of the Orange Cap leaderboard, maintaining a strike rate that defies conventional logic.
Buttler, who has seen his fair share of power hitters, was quick to highlight the statistical anomaly that is Sooryavanshi’s current season. “He’s now hit the most sixes for sure by an Indian player in an IPL season,” Buttler remarked. “He’s over 50 sixes, and I think it’s only Gayle who is just ahead of him for the all-time record.”
The Quest for the Gayle Standard
Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes in a single IPL season has long been considered one of the most formidable benchmarks in T20 cricket. However, with 53 sixes already to his name, Sooryavanshi is within striking distance. Buttler remains confident that the teenager will surpass the ‘Universe Boss’ if the Rajasthan Royals successfully navigate their way into the playoffs.
“Chris Gayle—the best T20 player to ever play the game—is the record holder with 59,” Buttler noted. “If Rajasthan gets through to the playoffs, then Vaibhav will definitely go past that record. It is just another one of these mind-boggling things that he’s doing at 15 years of age.”
Unmatched Efficiency in the Powerplay
Beyond the raw numbers, it is the consistency of Sooryavanshi’s aggression that stands out. Buttler highlighted the youngster’s remarkable efficiency during the mandatory powerplay overs. “I’ve watched him bat in the powerplay. The stats are crazy—the balls per boundary in the powerplay are two. So every other ball, he hits a four or a six.”
This level of output, combined with a strike rate hovering near 240, has forced opposition teams to constantly reinvent their bowling strategies. Stuart Broad echoed these sentiments, noting that even when teams believe they have cracked the code to dismiss him, Sooryavanshi manages to find an answer.
One Step Ahead of the Opposition
Broad shared a humorous observation about the frustration of rival bowling attacks. “Every time he gets going, it’s like, ‘He’s off again—43 off 17.’ And then it comes back, ‘I thought we’d worked him out—bouncer and yorker theory.’”
Buttler’s assessment of the youngster is simple yet profound: “He is one step ahead of everyone.”
As the IPL 2026 season reaches its business end, all eyes will be on Sooryavanshi. Whether he breaks the record or not, his current run has already cemented his status as one of the most exciting prospects in global cricket. At 15, he is not just playing the game; he is dominating it, proving that age is truly just a number when talent meets such relentless ambition.
What Comes Next?
With the Rajasthan Royals in strong contention for the playoffs, the stage is perfectly set for a historic finish. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next match, hoping to see the teenager clear the ropes once more and etch his name into the annals of IPL history. For now, the cricketing world can only marvel at the maturity and destructive power of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
