15-year-old RR opener breaks Andre Russell’s long-standing record with explosive batting performances this season
Mullanpur
Rajasthan Royals teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripted history in IPL 2026 by becoming the fastest batter to reach 400 runs in a season in terms of balls faced, achieving the feat in just 167 deliveries during Rajasthan Royals’ clash against Punjab Kings.
The 15-year-old opener surpassed the previous record held by Andre Russell, who had taken 188 balls to cross the milestone while representing Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2019 season. India batter Abhishek Sharma occupies the third spot after reaching the mark in 195 balls during IPL 2024.
Sooryavanshi reached the landmark at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, continuing his extraordinary rise as one of the brightest young talents in the tournament. The left-handed batter has been in sensational form throughout the ongoing season and is currently the first player to breach the 400-run mark in IPL 2026.
In nine matches so far, Sooryavanshi has amassed 400 runs at an impressive average of 44.44 and a staggering strike rate of 238.09. His tally includes two half-centuries and a stunning century against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this season in Jaipur.
His fearless strokeplay and consistency have made him one of the standout performers of the tournament, with bowlers struggling to contain his aggressive approach at the top of the order.
In the match against Punjab Kings, Sooryavanshi smashed 43 runs off just 16 balls, hitting three boundaries and five sixes, while Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed a brisk 51 off 27 deliveries to provide Rajasthan Royals a flying start in pursuit of 223.
Earlier, Punjab Kings posted 222/4 riding on unbeaten 62 off 22 balls from Marcus Stoinis and 59 from Prabhsimran Singh. However, a match-winning unbeaten partnership between Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey guided Rajasthan Royals to victory with four balls remaining.
