Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Eyes Historic T20 Double Century, Wants to Break Chris Gayle’s Record
Rajasthan Royals ’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to dream big after an extraordinary IPL 2026 season. The 15-year-old batting prodigy has now revealed that he wants to create history in T20 cricket by scoring the format’s first-ever double century and breaking Chris Gayle’s legendary record of 175*.
Speaking on former England captain Kevin Pietersen’s YouTube channel ‘The Switch’, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened up about his fearless batting mindset and future goals. The youngster, who has become one of the biggest breakout stars of IPL 2026, made it clear that personal milestones matter more to him than celebrating half-centuries.
When Pietersen asked whether he enjoys celebrating his fifties, Sooryavanshi replied, “No, not that much (on celebrating 50s).”
He then added, “I want to score 200 in T20s. I want to break Gayle's record.”
The West Indies legend also reached his century in only 30 balls during that innings, which is still the fastest IPL century ever recorded.
Now, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has openly stated that he wants to surpass that legendary milestone and become the first batter to score a double century in T20 cricket.
The left-handed batter has scored 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a staggering strike rate of 232.27. His season includes one century and three half-centuries, with a highest score of 103.
One of the biggest highlights of his IPL 2026 campaign has been his incredible six-hitting ability. Sooryavanshi has smashed 53 sixes this season, the most by an Indian batter in a single IPL edition.
He now stands just seven sixes away from breaking Chris Gayle’s all-time IPL record of 59 sixes in a season, achieved during the 2012 edition.
Last year, he created headlines after smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, which became the fastest IPL century by an Indian batter. That innings also made him the youngest centurion in T20 cricket history.
Earlier this year in the U19 World Cup, Sooryavanshi finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49.
He also broke another major record by smashing 30 sixes in the tournament, surpassing South Africa’s Dewald Brevis, who had hit 18 sixes in the 2022 edition. Vaibhav now holds the record for the most sixes in U19 World Cup history.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently India’s leading run-scorer in U19 ODIs with 1,412 runs in 25 innings at an average of 56.48 and a strike rate above 165. His tally includes four centuries and seven fifties, with a best score of 175.
His rapid rise began in October 2024 when he smashed a 58-ball century for India U19 against Australia U19 in Chennai. That knock became the fastest century by an Indian batter in Youth Tests.
Since then, the records have continued to pile up.
He scored a 52-ball century against England, becoming the youngest and fastest U19 centurion in history. He also hit a 61-ball 108 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making him the youngest centurion in the tournament’s history.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he smashed 190 off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest Indian to score a List A century and the second-fastest Indian to reach a List A hundred.
Since then, the teenager has continued to impress with fearless batting and remarkable consistency. Starting his IPL journey with a first-ball six, Sooryavanshi has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket.
With his fearless mindset, power-hitting ability and hunger for records, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi now looks ready to chase even bigger milestones in T20 cricket.
Speaking on former England captain Kevin Pietersen’s YouTube channel ‘The Switch’, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened up about his fearless batting mindset and future goals. The youngster, who has become one of the biggest breakout stars of IPL 2026, made it clear that personal milestones matter more to him than celebrating half-centuries.
When Pietersen asked whether he enjoys celebrating his fifties, Sooryavanshi replied, “No, not that much (on celebrating 50s).”
He then added, “I want to score 200 in T20s. I want to break Gayle's record.”
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Chasing Chris Gayle’s Historic T20 Record
Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013 remains the highest individual score in T20 cricket history. Gayle smashed that iconic knock in just 66 balls, hammering 13 fours and 17 sixes at a strike rate of 265.15.The West Indies legend also reached his century in only 30 balls during that innings, which is still the fastest IPL century ever recorded.
Now, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has openly stated that he wants to surpass that legendary milestone and become the first batter to score a double century in T20 cricket.
IPL 2026 Becomes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Breakthrough Season
After becoming the youngest IPL player at the age of 14 last season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm with his explosive batting performances for Rajasthan Royals.The left-handed batter has scored 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a staggering strike rate of 232.27. His season includes one century and three half-centuries, with a highest score of 103.
One of the biggest highlights of his IPL 2026 campaign has been his incredible six-hitting ability. Sooryavanshi has smashed 53 sixes this season, the most by an Indian batter in a single IPL edition.
He now stands just seven sixes away from breaking Chris Gayle’s all-time IPL record of 59 sixes in a season, achieved during the 2012 edition.
Record-Breaking Journey Across Formats
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise in Indian cricket has been filled with record-breaking performances across multiple tournaments.Last year, he created headlines after smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, which became the fastest IPL century by an Indian batter. That innings also made him the youngest centurion in T20 cricket history.
Earlier this year in the U19 World Cup, Sooryavanshi finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49.
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He also broke another major record by smashing 30 sixes in the tournament, surpassing South Africa’s Dewald Brevis, who had hit 18 sixes in the 2022 edition. Vaibhav now holds the record for the most sixes in U19 World Cup history.
Dominating U19 Cricket for India
The young Rajasthan Royals batter has also dominated India’s U19 circuit over the past year.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently India’s leading run-scorer in U19 ODIs with 1,412 runs in 25 innings at an average of 56.48 and a strike rate above 165. His tally includes four centuries and seven fifties, with a best score of 175.
His rapid rise began in October 2024 when he smashed a 58-ball century for India U19 against Australia U19 in Chennai. That knock became the fastest century by an Indian batter in Youth Tests.
Since then, the records have continued to pile up.
He scored a 52-ball century against England, becoming the youngest and fastest U19 centurion in history. He also hit a 61-ball 108 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making him the youngest centurion in the tournament’s history.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he smashed 190 off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest Indian to score a List A century and the second-fastest Indian to reach a List A hundred.
Rajasthan Royals’ Young Star Continues to Shine
During the IPL mega auction ahead of the 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals signed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Rs 1.1 crore, making him the youngest player ever picked in IPL history.Since then, the teenager has continued to impress with fearless batting and remarkable consistency. Starting his IPL journey with a first-ball six, Sooryavanshi has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket.
With his fearless mindset, power-hitting ability and hunger for records, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi now looks ready to chase even bigger milestones in T20 cricket.
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