The Indian Premier League 2026 season has got off to a flying start, with high-scoring contests and a few early surprises keeping fans hooked. Batters have largely dominated on flat tracks, turning games into run-fests and leaving bowlers with little margin for error.
While conditions could change as the tournament moves forward, former Graeme Smith had already anticipated this trend early on.
“The IPL has started exactly how I expected it to, with flatter pitches and high-scoring games,” Smith said on his blog.
Since the opening game on March 28, the tournament has already seen several 200-plus totals, with 13 such innings so far, including a towering 250 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Chennai Super Kings. While these batting-friendly conditions have thrilled fans, they have also made life tough for bowlers, raising questions about how they will adapt as the tournament progresses.
Smith reflected on the usual spotlight around stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but pointed to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the young name to watch, highlighting his fearless starts and potential to emerge as a standout performer this season.
“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,” added Smith.
Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made solid starts to the season, setting the tone at the top with positive intent. Rohit has chipped in with 118 runs in just three matches at a strike rate of 168 for Mumbai Indians, while Kohli has taken a more aggressive route, scoring 97 runs in two games.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in fine form
At the same time, the spotlight has shifted to emerging talent. Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals has stood out early in the tournament. The 15-year-old has grabbed attention with his fearless, attacking approach from the outset. He has already piled up 122 runs in three matches at a staggering strike rate of 249. His ability to make the most of the powerplay has been evident, particularly in his 39 off 14 balls against Mumbai Indians, taking on an experienced attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
As the tournament progresses and conditions begin to change, adaptability will be key. For young players like Sooryavanshi, maintaining momentum while learning from experienced teammates could define their impact this season.
