How Rajasthan Royals moulded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into an IPL orange-cap winner

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs from 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 Indian Premier League to win the orange cap, after announcing himself with a century against GT in 2025, Shimron Hetmyer told Sports Today.

Rajasthan Royals brought Sooryavanshi into their ranks believing they had unearthed a long-term asset who required guidance rather than a wholesale change to his game. The franchise focused on allowing him to play freely while supporting his development. By IPL 2026 he had moved from a peripheral figure to the centre piece in RR's campaign.

Sooryavanshi’s 776 runs from 16 matches made him the youngest orange cap winner in the history of the IPL and the tally coincided with the next stage of his international career, with reports noting his continued rise in international cricket.

Speaking to Sports Today, Shimron Hetmyer outlined his view of Sooryavanshi’s temperament and potential: "I think he's a really strong-minded kid and a really tough kid as well. He's done really well this year. I think he's one of those special talents that comes around every decade or something like that. He's really someone I'm looking forward to seeing more of in international cricket."

Hetmyer described how the Rajasthan set-up managed the youngster during his breakthrough: "When we were there at Rajasthan, we were just trying to make sure that he's not someone who gets flustered. Let him just play and enjoy his game as much as he can." He added: "Because he has youth on his side, we're just allowing him to be the young kid who's new on the block and letting everyone enjoy his success as much as he does." "I guess he's been reaping the rewards of playing for India at 14 years old. That's phenomenal for him and for world cricket as well. It's just about remembering to keep doing the good things that got him to this stage and continuing to do them," said Hetmyer.

On Sooryavanshi’s approach to batting, Hetmyer said: "Not really. He just comes in and smashes everybody in the same way he does in the game. It's as simple as that." The piece was written by Harshit Ahuja, who has been a journalist with the India Today group for over two years. Prior to that he has worked with organizations like EspnCricinfo & NDTV; over the last 7 years he has worked in front of and behind the camera, covering cricket & football among other sports, and follows Indian politics closely.

Rajasthan Royals are expected to build their side around Sooryavanshi, who has already started captaining Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.