Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Two young batting sensations – Priyansh Arya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – have taken the IPL by storm in no time. With fearless strokeplay, effortless six-hitting and breathtaking strike rates, the duo has emerged as the face of a new generation of ultra-aggressive T20 batting.While Sooryavanshi has been dismantling bowling attacks for Rajasthan Royals, Priyansh has been doing the same at full throttle for Punjab Kings. Their explosive starts in the powerplay have stunned opponents and thrilled fans across the tournament.
The impact of the two youngsters is reflected in a remarkable stat. Sooryavanshi currently tops the list for most 50-plus scores in overs 1-6 among Indian batters in IPL history with four such scores, while Priyansh Arya follows closely with three. Priyansh added another explosive knock to his growing reputation with a 24-ball fifty against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala during IPL 2026.Priyansh Arya’s fearless approachPriyansh carried his explosive form from the Delhi Premier League into the IPL and quickly became one of Punjab Kings’ biggest success stories. Bought for INR 3.8 crore from a base price of INR 30 lakh, the uncapped left-hander emerged as PBKS’ third-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025.He formed a dangerous opening partnership with Prabhsimran Singh and lit up the tournament with fearless strokeplay. Priyansh smashed the fifth-fastest century in IPL history — a 39-ball hundred against Chennai Super Kings – along with two fifties in his debut season.In IPL 2026, Priyansh has continued his stunning rise, scoring 336 runs in 10 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 231.72, including 32 sixes. Across two IPL seasons, he has already amassed 811 runs in 27 matches with 57 sixes to his name.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid riseAt just 13 years old, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player ever to earn an IPL contract when Rajasthan Royals bought him for INR 1.1 crore ahead of IPL 2025. A year later, he created history again by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket.The teenage sensation hammered 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans, bringing up his hundred in only 35 deliveries — the second-fastest century in IPL history.In IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi scored 252 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 206.55. He has taken things to another level in IPL 2026, scoring 440 runs in 11 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 236.55, including 40 sixes already this season.Overall, the RR youngster has smashed 692 runs in 18 IPL matches at a staggering strike rate of 224.67, with two centuries and three fifties.Before his IPL heroics, Sooryavanshi had already represented India Under-19 and scored a 58-ball century against Australia Under-19. He also played a key role in India’s run to the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 final.
