Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shatters IPL records again, overtakes Andre Russell and Abhishek Sharma

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to script a remarkable Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener added another milestone on April 28, becoming the fastest player to 400 runs in an IPL season during their clash against Punjab Kings.

He reached the mark in just 167 balls, surpassing previous record-holders like Andre Russell and Abhishek Sharma.

Sooryavanshi once again set the tone with a blistering 43 off 16 balls, giving Rajasthan the ideal start in a steep 223-run chase. By the time he fell in the fourth over, RR had already surged to 51, immediately putting Punjab on the back foot.

That early momentum proved decisive as Rajasthan chased down the target in 19.2 overs, sealing a six-wicket win in Mullanpur and handing Punjab their first defeat of the season.

Record-breaking run

Sooryavanshi’s 167-ball effort is now the fastest to 400 runs in an IPL season:

• 167 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)
• 188 – Andre Russell (2019)
• 195 – Abhishek Sharma (2024)
• 197 – Nicholas Pooran (2025)
• 200 – Glenn Maxwell (2014)

The record highlights the sheer pace of his scoring. With over 400 runs at a strike rate above 200, the teenager has combined consistency with relentless aggression. The knock also helped him reclaim the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Setting up the chase

Chasing 223, Rajasthan needed a flying start — and got exactly that. Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal attacked from the outset, racing past 50 inside four overs.

Jaiswal carried on the momentum with a fluent 51 off 27 balls, while the middle order — led by Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey — stitched together a crucial 77-run partnership to guide the team home.

Earlier, Marcus Stoinis had powered Punjab to 222/4 with a stunning unbeaten 62 off 22 balls, but it wasn’t enough against Rajasthan’s all-round batting display.

‘Amazing to bat with him’

Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach has already drawn praise across the cricketing world, including from Ravichandran Ashwin.

Opening partner Jaiswal echoed that sentiment after the match:
“It’s amazing. I really enjoyed batting with him… I’m always happy seeing from the other end the way he’s hitting the ball,” he said.

At just 15, Sooryavanshi continues to break new ground — and if this season is any indication, his rise is only just beginning.