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RR vs RCB, IPL 2026: Absolute carnage! That's what we witnessed in Guwahati on Friday when 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took on some of the world's best bowlers, including Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and dismantled them all over the Barsapara Stadium just like he dominated India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah earlier in the week.

Sooryavanshi's blistering 78 off just 26 balls against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) not only earned him the Orange Cap but also drew high praise from one of the most charismatic batters of all time, Virat Kohli.

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When Rajasthan began their chase of 202, it started raining, but not from the skies. It poured boundaries off Sooryavanshi's bat. In the very first over, he hammered two fours off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, setting the tone for what turned into one of the most spectacular innings of IPL 2026. Bowler by bowler, ball by ball, Sooryavanshi put on a spectacle, and the effortless ease of it made his innings more fascinating.

The 15-year-old prodigy not only captivated the spectators but also left the opposition in complete awe. Even RCB talisman Virat Kohli, visibly enthralled by his skills, couldn't hold back his praise for the young sensation.

After the match, the youngster received an autograph from Kohli on his Rajasthan Royals cap, which came with a special message. "Dear Vaibhav, well done," Kohli wrote for Sooryavanshi, who was later seen gushing over the praise from the King himself. In a video shared by Rajasthan Royals, the 15-year-old could be seen proudly flaunting the cap bearing Kohli's message.

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Not only Kohli, but pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also heaped praises on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and said that his composure defies his age. "The way he is hitting shots. He is not slogging; he is hitting proper shots. For a 15-year-old, he is too mature. So yes, I think we should give him credit for the way he is batting, and he is batting really well. So he deserves all the credit," Bhuvneshwar Kumar said.

ALSO READ: Graeme Smith Calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘A Proper Superstar’ After Cracking Bumrah Challenge

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar also praised Sooryavanshi and singled out Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's impact as the difference-maker. A viral video also captured Vaibhav in conversation with RCB's Jitesh Sharma when Rajat Patidar cheekily walked up and grabbed him by the neck. What followed was laughter all around, with the clip quickly going viral.

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IPL 2026 Orange Cap:

The mayhem he unleashed on RCB bowlers also propelled Sooryavanshi to the top of the Orange Cap standings, overtaking his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal. The youngster now has 200 runs in just four matches in IPL 2026, including two fifties at an average of 50. Both his half-centuries -- against RCB and CSK -- came off just 15 deliveries.

Others in the Orange Cap race include:

- Yashasvi Jaiswal (183)

- Dhruv Jurel (176)

- Sameer Rizvi (160)

- Angkrish Raghuvanshi (155)

"Play The Ball, Not The Baller," Says Sooryavanshi:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi credited his disciplined approach and focus on basics after a match-winning performance, saying he looks to "play the ball and not the bowler"even against top names. "I just try to back my strengths and execute what I have done in practice. Of course, in the back of the mind, you know who the bowler is. But then, I try to play the ball and not the bowler," said Sooryavanshi after the match.

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"My father keeps on guiding me. Here my guardian is Romi sir. They keep on telling me that the journey is long. So, I have to be focused on my game and not anything else. If I stay in the middle, I know that we can reach the target an over or two earlier. So, if I get out playing a loose shot, it disappoints me," the 15-year-old said on his dismissal.


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