T20 sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — all of 15 — was the brightest star of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), even as the old warhorse Virat Kohli made his presence felt with typical panache. The 37-year-old batting legend powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their second successive trophy with a quickfire fifty in the final. Such was Kohli’s form and fitness during the two-month-long tournament that his participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup is now within the realm of possibility. Kohli admitted that he needed a change in mindset and a bit of pushing from “super young” players to reinvent his T20 game. This candid acknowledgment offers a glimpse of the healthy competition that is shaping Indian cricket. The just-concluded IPL season showed that cricketers from two generations can complement each other admirably. Kohli remains a dominant force, while players like Sooryavanshi are ensuring that the game continues to evolve.
Sooryavanshi, the Rajasthan Royals prodigy, walked away with most of the awards: Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season, Orange Cap winner and Super Sixes of the Season. His fearless batting and remarkable consistency represent the new generation’s bold approach to the shortest format of cricket. Yet, what stands out is not merely his talent but his maturity at such a young age. Sooryavanshi’s ability to perform under pressure mirrors the very quality that has defined Kohli’s success over the years.
The vast pool of talent showcased by the IPL augurs well for India, the reigning T20 world champions. The inclusion of this sport in the 2028 Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games implies that the cricket-crazy nation can expect more laurels in the years to come.
