Teen prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred for Rajasthan Royals, earning praise from Lalit Modi as the “best buy” in IPL history. The 15-year-old smashed records with explosive batting, including fastest milestones and most sixes in a T20 season. His 97 off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad boosted him to the top of the Orange Cap race in IPL 2026.

New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi heaped praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him the best buy of tournament history by Rajasthan Royals.

RR signed the teenage prodigy for Rs 1.1 crores during the IPL 2025 mega auction as he became the youngest IPL player at just 13. In his debut IPL season, Sooryavanshi became the youngest centurion in men's T20 cricket, smashing 101 off 38 deliveries against Gujarat Titans. After his historic debut, RR retained him ahead of the 2026 mini auction.

"Best buy of any player in history @Vaibhavsooryava by @rajasthanroyals," Modi posted on X.

On Wednesday, Sooryavanshi unleashed carnage during his breathtaking 29-ball 97 that helped Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the IPL 2026 Eliminator on Wednesday. His Player of the Match performance at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh saw him climb to the top of the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race, having amassed 680 runs in 15 matches for the Royals this season.