15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerged as the biggest star of IPL 2026, winning the Orange Cap, MVP, Emerging Player and multiple awards after a record-breaking season.
Rajsthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi receives Super Striker of the Season award during the presentation ceremony of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 final, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Monday, June 1, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
While Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated a historic second consecutive IPL title after defeating Gujarat Titans in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the spotlight of the season firmly belonged to Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old prodigy produced one of the most remarkable campaigns in IPL history, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 776 runs and claiming the Orange Cap. His fearless strokeplay and consistency made him the standout performer across the season.
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Sooryavanshi’s dream run did not stop there. He was also named the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player of the Season, underlining his all-round impact on the tournament.
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Adding to his extraordinary achievements, the youngster won the Super Striker of the Season award with a staggering strike rate of 237.31 and topped the Super Sixes chart with 72 maximums, breaking multiple records along the way.
On the bowling front, Gujarat Titans’ pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada claimed the Purple Cap with 29 wickets, while teammate Mohammed Siraj impressed with his discipline, bowling 172 dot balls, the most in the tournament.
Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan earned the Most Fours award with 75 boundaries, while Kolkata Knight Riders’ Manish Pandey produced a stunning effort to win Catch of the Season for a spectacular one-handed effort at backward point.
Punjab Kings were adjudged winners of the Fair Play Award for maintaining sporting conduct throughout the tournament.
The IPL also recognised excellence in pitch and ground conditions, with the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association winning the award for venues hosting four matches or fewer, while the Cricket Association of Bengal was honoured for overall pitch and ground standards.
Despite RCB’s title triumph, Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking season ensured he emerged as the defining story of IPL 2026 – a teenage talent announcing himself on the biggest stage with unmatched impact.
• Orange Cap: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) – 776 runs
• Purple Cap: Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) – 29 wickets
• Most Valuable Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)
• Emerging Player of the Season: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)
• Super Striker of the Season: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (237.31 strike rate)
• Super Sixes of the Season: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 72 sixes
• Most Fours: Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans) – 75 fours
• Most Dot Balls: Mohammed Siraj (Gujarat Titans) – 172 dot balls
• Catch of the Season: Manish Pandey (Kolkata Knight Riders)
• Fair Play Award: Punjab Kings
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