Despite the claims, the 15-year-old continues to dominate the IPL, ranking among the top run-scorers this season

India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the Indian Premier League by storm with remarkable performances at a very young age. However, his rapid rise has now sparked controversy, with Pakistan’s cricket analyst Nauman Niaz making unusual allegations about the youngster’s performances.
Nauman Niaz, known for his outspoken and often exaggerated remarks, has questioned the legitimacy of Sooryavanshi’s batting power. Speaking on the show ‘SmashHit’, he suggested that the 15-year-old might be using an artificial intelligence chip in his bat to generate additional power.
He went on to say that the player’s bat should be examined in a laboratory, similar to how the World Anti-Doping Agency conducts tests. He expressed disbelief at the youngster’s abilities, questioning how someone of his age could produce such performances. He also remarked that while players typically develop physical strength in their late teens, Sooryavanshi appears to rely more on technique, describing him as a wristy batter capable of playing shots across the full range of the field.
Despite the controversy, Sooryavanshi’s performances have captured global attention. At just 15 years old, he has already begun rewriting records in the IPL with a series of impressive innings.
He came close to registering the fastest century in IPL history during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 78 runs off just 26 balls before falling short of the milestone. The near miss did not deter him.
Century against Sunrisers Hyderabad
After recording scores of 0 and 8, with a 46 in between, Sooryavanshi bounced back strongly. He reached his century in just 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, marking another significant achievement in his young career.
Among top run-scorers this season
Sooryavanshi’s consistent performances have placed him among the leading run-scorers in the tournament. With 357 runs from eight matches, including two half-centuries and a hundred, he currently occupies the second position in the standings.
He is ahead of several established players, including KL Rahul, who is placed third, followed by Heinrich Klaasen in fourth, Shubman Gill in fifth, and Virat Kohli in sixth.
Indians dominate Orange Cap race
The race for the Orange Cap this season has largely been dominated by Indian players. Heinrich Klaasen remains the only overseas cricketer in the top 10, highlighting the strong presence of Indian batters in the competition.
Published: 27 Apr 2026, 01:14 pm IST
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