Virender Sehwag in Awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘If I Were a Selector, I’d Pick Him for India Right Now’

BY: Webdunia News Team

Publish: Thu, 28 May 2026 (15:14 IST) Updated: Thu, 28 May 2026 (15:16 IST)

At just 15 years of age, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the cricket world by storm with his fearless batting. From Sachin Tendulkar to Chris Gayle, several cricket legends have praised the young sensation from Bihar after his breathtaking performances in IPL 2026.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag has now made a massive statement about the teenage batter. Impressed by Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL Eliminator, Sehwag said he would immediately include the youngster in the Indian team if he were a selector.

A video of Sehwag praising Vaibhav has gone viral on social media. Speaking about the innings, Sehwag said, “I have never seen batting like this. I myself scored the fastest ODI hundred for India once, but what this boy has done is unbelievable. No one could have imagined that a 15-year-old kid would break Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes in a season. If I were a selector, I would put him straight into the Indian team.”

If I was a selector, Vaibhav Suryavanshi would be included in the team of India - Virendra Sahwag pic.twitter.com/afqS3WCLK8

— vivek singh Rahul (@vivekrahul1607) May 28, 2026

Vaibhav’s 97 Off 29 Balls Left Fans Stunned

Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a sensational 97 runs off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator on Wednesday.

Had Vaibhav stayed at the crease for a few more overs, he might also have challenged Gayle’s legendary 175-run record — the highest individual score in IPL history.

Chris Gayle’s Fastest Century Record Survives

The dramatic moment came in the eighth over bowled by Praful Hinge. Vaibhav was at 71 (23 balls). Yashasvi Jaiswal took a single on the first ball to give Vaibhav the strike. What followed was pure destruction.

Vaibhav smashed a six on the second ball, followed by a four, another boundary on a no-ball, then a six on the free hit, and yet another six. Suddenly, the teenager had raced to 97 runs from just 28 balls.

Attempting another big hit on the final delivery of the over, Vaibhav was caught by Smaran Ravichandran near the boundary, bringing an end to one of the most explosive IPL playoff innings ever seen.

During his knock, Vaibhav hammered 12 sixes and five fours. He reached his half-century in only 16 balls, equalling the record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoff history. The record was previously held by Suresh Raina, who scored a 16-ball half-century for Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2014.

Breaks Chris Gayle’s Six-Hitting Record

With his incredible innings, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also broke Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single IPL season.

Gayle had smashed 59 sixes in 14 innings during the 2012 season. Vaibhav has now hit 65 sixes in just 15 innings this season.

Powered by Vaibhav’s explosive innings, Rajasthan Royals posted 243/8 in 20 overs. In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for 196. Vaibhav was named Player of the Match as Rajasthan Royals advanced to Qualifier 2.

Rajasthan Royals will now face Gujarat Titans on May 29, with the winner set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final on May 31.