A New Star Emerges in the IPL 2026
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has expressed his admiration for the impact of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Rajasthan Royals opener made a significant impression, not just through his runs but by influencing the outcome of games in various ways.
Tendulkar highlighted that whenever Sooryavanshi walked out to bat, the Rajasthan Royals seemed to gain a renewed sense of belief. This sentiment was echoed by many observers who noted the teenager’s growing influence on the team’s performance.
The Rise of a Young Prodigy
Sooryavanshi’s performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. He emerged as the top run-scorer and one of the most notable success stories of the season. His ability to perform under pressure, especially during the playoffs, was particularly impressive.
Tendulkar was particularly struck by Sooryavanshi’s temperament during the high-stakes matches. “His ability to score quickly in the Eliminator and Qualifier proved his intent was always the same, even as the stakes were high,” he said. “Even more importantly, his batting seemed to give Rajasthan Royals an added sense of belief every time he walked out to the middle.”
Key Moments and Insights
Tendulkar also shared some insights into specific moments that stood out during the tournament. One such instance was the dismissal of Jos Buttler by Josh Hazlewood in the first qualifier between RCB and RR. He praised the bowler’s game awareness, explaining how Hazlewood subtly slowed down the next delivery by 10 km/hr, leading to Buttler’s dismissal.
“Josh Hazlewood’s dismissal of Jos Buttler in the 5th over of the 1st Qualifier showed the value of deception. Buttler had hit deliveries for a 4, 6, and a 4, and once a batter settles into a rhythm like that, he often tends to commit early,” Tendulkar explained. “What made the wicket special was how he subtly slowed down the next delivery by 10 km/hr, and Buttler had already gone through his shot by the time the ball reached him.”
A Team Effort
Looking at the eventual champions, RCB, Tendulkar noted how their win was an all-round effort. “Every successful team develops an identity over the course of a campaign. RCB’s identity seemed to be built around shared responsibility,” he said. He reserved high praise for captain Rajat Patidar, highlighting his leadership and ability to create an environment where others could thrive.
“Rajat Patidar led from the front right through, but more importantly, he helped create an environment where others could do the same. The balance between leadership and contribution was an important part of them going all the way to yet another final,” Tendulkar added.
Rule Changes and Strategic Thinking
Tendulkar also suggested a change to the rules, keeping in mind the course of most of the games in the season. “One trend that I observed through this season was how many games were decided between overs 7 and 15. Teams are now much better prepared for Power-plays and death overs than before,” he said.
He proposed splitting the powerplay into two parts: “First 4 overs as the batting Power-play and two overs of bowling Power-play, which could be utilised at any point in the innings. If implemented, this could become the most strategic phase of T20 cricket.”
Praise for Punjab Kings
Despite not winning the trophy, Tendulkar praised Punjab Kings for their attitude and positive approach to the tournament. “Punjab Kings brought wonderful energy to the tournament. Their cricket was positive, brave, and at times game-changing,” he said. According to Tendulkar, the lesson learned from Punjab’s season was to strike a balance between process and results.
“Momentum plays a big part in lengthy tournaments, and eventually in such a quick tournament it comes down to process and not attaching yourself to the results. Punjab seemed to focus on the process in the first half, and on results in the second,” he added.
Reflections on Adaptation
Reflecting on IPL 2026, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of adaptation. “When I reflect on IPL 2026, I was once again reminded that tournaments rarely follow a predictable course from the start. More than one instance this season, the table told a very different story at the mid-point compared to what we see at the end of the competition,” he said.
“The teams responded, adjusted, and new strategies were developed as the competition grew. The game is all about continuous development, and that’s what makes watching it so compelling.”
