Mullanpur: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues his dream run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, becoming the first player this season to cross the 400-run mark and earning comparisons with legendary captain MS Dhoni for his growing fan following and aura.
The Rajasthan Royals batter has combined explosive hitting with remarkable consistency, emerging as one of the standout performers of the season.
First to 400 runs this season
Sooryavanshi’s numbers underline his dominance. In nine innings, he has amassed 400 runs at an average of 44.44 and a staggering strike rate of 238.09. His scores this season — 52, 31, 39, 78, 0, 46, 8, 103 and 43 — reflect both consistency and match-winning ability.
He also has one century and two half-centuries to his name so far, placing him firmly at the top of the run-scorers’ list.
Experts compare his aura to Dhoni
Former India cricketers Murali Kartik and Mohit Sharma recently spoke about Sooryavanshi’s growing popularity.
Mohit Sharma, who has shared the dressing room with Dhoni, highlighted the rare aura surrounding the young batter, noting that players, commentators and fans across venues are drawn to him in a similar way.
According to Sharma, only two players have commanded such universal attention — Dhoni and now Sooryavanshi — pointing to the youngster’s rising stature in Indian cricket.
Impact knock against Punjab Kings
In the recent clash against Punjab Kings, Sooryavanshi once again provided a blazing start, smashing 43 runs off just 16 balls. His innings included five towering sixes, setting the tone for Rajasthan Royals’ chase of 223.
Though he fell short of a half-century, his aggressive approach ensured RR stayed ahead in the run chase during the powerplay.
Match turns into a thriller
Despite the strong start, Punjab Kings fought back through Yuzvendra Chahal, who claimed 3 wickets and tightened the game in the middle overs.
Key contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and Riyan Parag (29) kept RR in contention, but the chase was far from straightforward.
The match was eventually sealed by Donovan Ferreira, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 52 off 26 balls. He was well supported by Shubham Dubey (31* off 12), as RR chased down the target with four balls remaining.
Punjab Kings post big total
Earlier, Punjab Kings posted a formidable 222 for 4, powered by a rapid half-century from Marcus Stoinis. However, their bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson, struggled to contain RR’s late onslaught.
Rising star of IPL 2026
Sooryavanshi’s ability to deliver consistently at a high strike rate has made him one of the most exciting players of IPL 2026. Beyond numbers, his growing fan base and on-field presence have sparked conversations about his long-term impact on the game.
Conclusion
As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to dominate IPL 2026, comparisons with MS Dhoni underline not just his performance but also his rising influence. If he maintains this form, the young star could be on track for an extraordinary season and a significant role in the future of Indian cricket.