IPL 2026: Rising Stars Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan Capture Attention
Emerging Openers in IPL 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan are set to be among the most followed opening batsmen in IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi has gained recognition for his explosive batting style, and fans are eager to see him represent India as soon as the current IPL season concludes. If the 15-year-old is selected for the national team, he would make history as the youngest player to compete in international cricket for India.
While Sudharsan may not match Sooryavanshi's speed, he maintains a steady scoring rate, focusing on risk-free play and finding gaps in the field. He was awarded the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, having scored the highest runs that season. Despite his impressive performance, Sudharsan has not played a T20I for the national team since July 2024.
Sooryavanshi's higher strike rate gives him an advantage, but Sudharsan's reliability is also noteworthy. As they vie for attention among other openers, let's delve into their IPL earnings, career highlights, and more.
Sai Sudharsan was acquired by GT during the IPL 2022 mega-auction for Rs 20 lakh, where he scored 145 runs in five matches. He surpassed the 300-run mark in just eight games during IPL 2023, finishing with 362 runs. His remarkable performance continued in 2024, where he amassed 527 runs across 12 matches. Following the 2024 T20 World Cup, he made his T20 debut.
GT retained Sudharsan for Rs 8.5 crore before the IPL 2025 mega-auction, and he justified their faith by scoring over 750 runs, earning the Orange Cap. His season included a century and six half-centuries, with a strike rate of 156.17, hitting 88 fours and 21 sixes.
Currently, Sudharsan earns Rs 8.5 crore in IPL and has played six Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I. He is primarily part of the Test squad and is expected to retain his position for the upcoming one-off match against Afghanistan in June. He has accumulated 1879 runs in 42 IPL matches.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently the most discussed junior player in cricket. He gained attention through his performances in junior cricket and has seamlessly transitioned to senior levels. Known for his aggressive batting style, Sooryavanshi aims to hit big from the very first ball. In IPL 2025, he made headlines by becoming the youngest player to score a century, achieving a remarkable 35-ball ton against GT.
Sooryavanshi joined RR for Rs 1.10 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction and has continued to impress. His consistent run-scoring across domestic and U-19 cricket indicates he is ready for T20I cricket for India. With 335 runs in nine IPL matches, Sooryavanshi could potentially outshine Sudharsan for a spot in the T20I team, should the selectors face a choice between the two. However, both players will need to wait for their chances as there are currently no openings in the T20I squad.