Ex-RCB star's bold prediction for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Virat Kohli's IPL 2026 performance goes viral

Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund, who represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, predicted that Rajasthan Royals (RR) young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will hit the most sixes in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, which will start from March 28. 

Most will smash most sixes in IPL 2026?

During a rapid-fire session on ESPN Cricinfo, when asked directly about who would lead in sixes, Mukund didn’t hesitate: “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.”

Left-handed batter Sooryavanshi made his IPL debut in 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals and smashed 24 sixes in just seven matches. His brilliant performance earned him the Super Striker of the Season award. After his exploits in age-group and domestic cricket, expectations are sky-high for him in IPL 2026.

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What will be Virat Kohli's strike rate in IPL 2026?

During the same rapid-fire session, Mukund also shared his prediction for Virat Kohli’s strike rate in IPL 2026, saying, “168.8.” Kohli, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and is the all-time highest run-scorer in the IPL, currently has a career strike rate of 132.85. His best season strike rate was 154.69 in 2024, and in last year’s IPL, he batted with a strike rate of 144.71.

Who will be the breakout star

Mukund also pointed to 23-year-old uncapped fast bowler Ashok Sharma as the player most likely to emerge as a star in IPL 2026. Ashok, who plays domestic cricket for Rajasthan, has already picked up 22 wickets in 10 T20 matches. This year, he will turn out for the Gujarat Titans, who signed him for Rs 90 lakh in last year’s auction.

Ashok earned the big IPL deal after impressive performances in the 2025 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Rajasthan, where he dismissed 22 batters in 10 matches. 

IPL 2026 schedule

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is scheduled to start from March 28, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play the tournament opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Rajasthan Royals (RR) will start their campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).