Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: From Auction Doubts to India’s T20I Squad

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is living proof that talent, when placed in the right environment, can flourish at an extraordinary pace. The teenage left-hander recently opened up about one of the more humbling moments of his early career — the IPL auction — revealing that only two franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, placed bids for him, with the Royals eventually securing his services for Rs 1.1 crore.

“I was thinking, why did only two teams bid for me? I play well, I had done well,” Sooryavanshi admitted. Despite the initial confusion, the youngster now considers landing at Rajasthan Royals a stroke of fortune.

A Dressing Room That Felt Like Home

Sooryavanshi has credited the Royals’ support system for accelerating his development. The warmth of coaches, management, and senior players transformed what could have been an overwhelming experience into one of deep learning and growth. After eighteen months with the franchise, he says he has thanked his stars repeatedly for ending up there.

Numbers That Demanded Attention

His IPL 2026 season made it impossible for selectors to look away. Sooryavanshi blazed through 16 matches, amassing 776 runs at a stunning strike rate of 237.31, claiming both the Orange Cap and the MVP award. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that his performances left no room for debate.

With India’s T20I squads for the Ireland and England series now including his name, the BCCI has also arranged for his parents to accompany him on overseas tours — a thoughtful gesture acknowledging that behind the extraordinary talent is still a teenager finding his footing.