IPL 2026: Graeme Smith compares Sooryavanshi's star power with Kohli-Rohit, says 'He could become a proper...'

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has praised the Indian Premier League (IPL) for its profound impact on the global cricket landscape. The current SA20 Commissioner highlighted how the league's highly professional franchises, elite competitive standards, and sophisticated scouting networks have revolutionised talent discovery. According to Smith, this system is responsible for unearthing exceptional young prodigies like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who might otherwise remain overlooked on the world stage.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is the one to watch: Graeme Smith

Among the new wave of talent, Smith specifically identified Rajasthan Royals' teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as a prime example of the IPL's reach. While acknowledging that media attention typically centers on established icons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Smith urged fans to keep a close eye on Sooryavanshi. He pointed to the youngster's fearless approach at the crease and raw potential as clear indicators that he could emerge as one of the standout performers of the 2026 season.

“The IPL has started exactly how I expected it to, with flatter pitches and high-scoring games. As always, it’s interesting to see how the old school superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli perform, but I think this youngster for the Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is the one to watch in the opening few weeks. He has already shown his ability to power it right from ball one. As a young man, he could become a proper superstar over the course of the tournament and I’m really excited to see how he goes,” Smith said on his blog.

The veteran stars of Indian cricket have kicked off their campaigns with authority. Rohit Sharma has been a vital spark for the Mumbai Indians, amassing 118 runs across his first three appearances while maintaining a formidable strike rate of 168. Similarly, Virat Kohli has embraced a high-intent approach, contributing 97 runs in just two outings and providing the steady yet rapid starts his team requires.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive form in IPL 2026

However, the narrative of the season is increasingly being shaped by the next generation, specifically the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy has stunned spectators with an incredibly fearless batting style, accumulating 122 runs in three matches at an eye-watering strike rate of 249. His most notable contribution came against the Mumbai Indians, where he dismantled a world-class bowling attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult to score 39 runs off only 14 deliveries.

As the IPL 2026 season unfolds and pitches begin to wear, the ability to adapt to changing conditions will become the primary challenge for these players. For a young talent like Sooryavanshi, the key to a truly breakthrough year will lie in his ability to sustain this momentum while absorbing tactical lessons from the seasoned internationals around him.