•Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar named 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the standout performer of the IPL season.
•Sooryavanshi won the Orange Cap after scoring 498 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, making him the youngest player to achieve this feat.
•Patidar praised Sooryavanshi’s dominance over top bowlers and his ability to clear boundaries consistently.
•Patidar also expressed admiration for Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, recalling his impressive Ranji Trophy performances.
•Patidar’s own season saw him score 498 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, showcasing his aggressive batting and pushing his claims for the Indian team.
•Patidar revealed that his attacking approach evolved through hard work and clarity of role within the team.
•Sooryavanshi’s rise highlights the growing influence of young talent in the IPL and the league’s ability to nurture future stars.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar has singled out 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the standout performer of the recently concluded IPL season. Speaking to the media on Monday, Patidar highlighted Sooryavanshi’s exceptional performances, which culminated in him winning the prestigious Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Patidar’s endorsement of Sooryavanshi came during a post-match interaction, where he emphasized the young batsman’s dominance over bowlers of international repute. “It’s pretty clear, you know, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Because he is so young and the way he has dominated in this tournament, he has not just played, he has dominated every bowler – top bowlers of the world. So, the way he played his shots, you know, he is amazing. Whenever I see him on the TV, the way he was clearing the rope, it was superb. So, I wish him luck for the future,” Patidar remarked.
Sooryavanshi’s stellar season saw him amass 498 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 192.69, making him the youngest player to clinch the Orange Cap in IPL history. His aggressive approach, particularly against spinners, allowed him to dominate the middle-over phase, a trait that has drawn comparisons with some of the most explosive batsmen in the league. Despite the presence of seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, and Krunal Pandya, Sooryavanshi’s impact stood out, earning him widespread acclaim during the prize distribution ceremony.
In addition to praising Sooryavanshi, Patidar also expressed his admiration for Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer. The India middle-order batsman had recently played a glowing tribute to Patidar, and the RCB skipper reciprocated the gesture. “I have spent a lot of time with Shreyas. When I was 20-22, I started playing in my first season in Ranji. We played against Mumbai. I remember at that time he scored a lot of runs, 1200 runs in Ranji season. So, even I admire him a lot because you know the way he was dominating in Ranji season, in red ball cricket, the shots which he was playing. So, at that point it was my first season. So, after looking at him, I’ve changed my mindset from second and third year. After looking at him, the way he was playing in that season, it was unbelievable. So, I mean to say that even I admire him a lot. Thanks to Shreyas, the words he spoke for me,” Patidar shared.
Patidar’s own performance this season was equally commendable, as he scored 498 runs at a strike rate of 192.69, showcasing his attacking instincts and pushing his claims for a spot in the Indian team. His ability to dominate bowlers, especially in the middle overs, set him apart as one of the most fearsome batsmen in the league. Patidar revealed that his aggressive approach was not a premeditated strategy but evolved through hard work and clarity of role within the team. “It’s not like this I have to go in and target just starting from one or ball two. No one in the team was doing that. But it’s important to, you know, backers in strength. And we have done hard work before the tournament. And, you know, with DK, I got more clarity about my role. I was pretty clear that in the middle overs, if I’m batting, I can maximise. I can take risks, which I like most. I like taking risks. So, if I’m playing in middle overs, I always like to, you know, maximise on every bowler. If I feel that I should go on a second ball, I always back myself and, you know, go with full clarity,” he explained.
The RCB captain’s words reflect the growing influence of young talent in the IPL and the league’s ability to nurture future stars. Sooryavanshi’s rise, in particular, signals a promising future for Indian cricket, with his performances drawing comparisons to some of the most explosive batsmen in the league.
