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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Compared With Sachin Tendulkar As 90s Haunt Royals Opener – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Compared to Sachin Tendulkar Amid Historic IPL 2026 Run

Sagar Thapa · · 3 min read
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A Rising Star Takes Center Stage

In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to capture the imagination of the cricketing world like 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, the young left-handed opener has become the heartbeat of his team’s batting unit during the 2026 season. His latest display of brilliance came against the Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 2 clash, where he showcased a level of maturity and aggression that defies his tender age.

The ‘Nervous Nineties’ Phenomenon

Sooryavanshi’s recent form has been nothing short of historic, yet it has brought with it an ironic shadow. In his last four innings, the teenager has scored in the nineties three times. This specific sequence of scores has ignited a storm of comparisons on social media, with fans drawing parallels between the youngster and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Much like the ‘God of Cricket’ during his illustrious career, Sooryavanshi has found himself repeatedly falling just short of the triple-figure mark, leading many to label him with the famous ‘nervous nineties’ tag.

However, while some fans express heartbreak over his repeated misses at century milestones, the sentiment among the cricketing community is one of awe. Scoring three ninety-plus scores in four innings is an anomaly of consistency at any level of professional cricket, let alone for a 15-year-old playing on the grandest stage of the T20 format.

Beyond the Numbers: A Focused Mindset

Despite the widespread discussion regarding his inability to cross the century threshold, Sooryavanshi appears remarkably unfazed. Following his explosive 97 off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier in the tournament, the youngster displayed a level-headedness that suggests a bright future. When questioned about missing out on breaking records—such as Chris Gayle’s fastest-ever IPL century—Sooryavanshi remained composed. He clarified that individual milestones are secondary to his primary mission: securing the IPL 2026 trophy for the Rajasthan Royals.

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Dominance Against Gujarat Titans

The Qualifier 2 match against the Gujarat Titans served as another testament to his destructive capabilities. After the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, the Royals were in a precarious position. Sooryavanshi stepped up to anchor the innings, eventually finding his rhythm and exploding into a blistering 96 off 47 balls. His innings was decorated with eight boundaries and seven massive sixes, effectively changing the momentum of the game.

The partnership between Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja helped rebuild the Royals’ innings, while Donovan Ferreira provided a spectacular cameo, smashing 38 runs off just 11 balls. Together, they propelled the Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total of 214-6. This performance not only solidified his team’s position in the match but also allowed Sooryavanshi to extend his lead in the race for the Orange Cap, having accumulated a staggering 776 runs in just 16 innings.

The Path Ahead

As the IPL 2026 season reaches its climax, all eyes remain fixed on the young opener. While the comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar are a monumental honor for any cricketer, Sooryavanshi is clearly forging his own path. Whether he eventually breaks his streak of nineties or continues to provide vital, high-impact contributions for the Rajasthan Royals, his arrival on the world stage has been nothing short of phenomenal. The cricket world will undoubtedly be watching to see if he can carry this form through to the final, proving that his potential knows no bounds.

Sagar Thapa

Sagar Thapa is a senior sports correspondent for The Kathmandu Post, regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Nepal’s remarkable cricketing ascent. A graduate of Tribhuvan University, he started his career covering age‑group and university cricket long before Nepal’s national team gained ODI status. Sagar has since reported on every major milestone in Nepal’s journey—from World Cup Qualifiers to the rise of stars like Sandeep Lamichhane in global T20 leagues. His deep understanding of spin bowling and the specific challenges faced by Associate Member nations underpins his widely read columns. Sagar’s work is known for its gentle authority, meticulously contextualising Nepal’s achievements within the broader international game. He has been honoured by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum and his own newspaper, and he remains passionately committed to telling the stories of the valleys, academies, and tournaments that are shaping the next generation of cricket in Nepal and beyond.