Which Teams Bid For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In IPL Auction Before RR Bought Him?

The Phenomenon of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: T20’s Newest Prodigy

The landscape of modern T20 cricket is constantly evolving, but every once in a while, a talent emerges that completely redefines the boundaries of the sport. Enter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15 years old, the Bihar-born sensation has taken the Indian Premier League (IPL) and global cricket by storm. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi has brought an unprecedented level of fearlessness to the crease, turning every match he plays into a must-watch event.

The buzz surrounding this young prodigy reached a fever pitch during the high-stakes IPL Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In a dazzling display of power-hitting, Sooryavanshi dismantled the opposition bowling attack, smashing a breathtaking 29-ball 97. While he agonizingly missed out on a historic 29-ball century—which would have broken Chris Gayle’s long-standing record of a 30-ball hundred—the innings cemented his status as a once-in-a-generation talent. Rajasthan Royals have reaped massive rewards from his meteoric rise, but it all started at the auction table where key decisions were made.

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Who Chased the Young Sensation?

Before he became a household name breaking records on the field, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was a raw, unproven talent entering the IPL 2025 mega auction. Hailing from a humble background in Bihar, the young prodigy entered the auction pool with a modest base price of INR 30 lakhs. At a time when franchises were focused on rebuilding their core and spending heavily on established international stars, Sooryavanshi flew under the radar of almost every team except two.

So, which teams actually bid for him before Rajasthan Royals secured his signature? Surprisingly, the bidding war was a short, two-way battle. Delhi Capitals were the first franchise to raise their paddle for the 15-year-old. Recognizing the immense potential in the youngster, Delhi Capitals initiated the bidding at his base price. However, Rajasthan Royals—renowned for their exceptional scouting network and ability to groom young Indian talent—quickly joined the fray.

The bidding war intensified between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, with both teams trading bids. The back-and-forth continued until the price reached INR 1.10 crore. It was at this point that Delhi Capitals decided to drop their paddle, allowing Rajasthan Royals to secure the Bihar youngster. It proved to be one of the most astute pieces of business in IPL history.

A Masterclass in Scouting: Why Rajasthan Royals Backed Sooryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals’ decision to go the distance for Sooryavanshi fits perfectly into their long-term team-building philosophy. Having already retained a powerful core of players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma, the Royals had the luxury of investing in raw potential. They knew that adding a dynamic young player like Sooryavanshi could pay massive dividends in the future.

While a price tag of INR 1.10 crore might seem significant for a teenager, Sooryavanshi was actually one of the cheapest acquisitions for the franchise. In fact, he was fifth from the bottom in terms of the money Rajasthan Royals spent on individual players during the IPL 2025 mega auction. In total, the Royals spent INR 40.70 crore to acquire 20 players, consisting of 14 Indian players and six overseas stars. In hindsight, securing a player of Sooryavanshi’s caliber for just INR 1.10 crore looks like an absolute steal.

Stepping Stones: The Journey Through IPL 2025 and Under-19 Cricket

Sooryavanshi’s journey to the top has been a story of steady progression. During his debut IPL season in 2025, he didn’t get a permanent run in the starting XI but still made his limited opportunities count. Playing in seven matches, he scored 252 runs at an impressive average of 36.00. Even in that limited sample size, his explosive nature was evident, highlighted by a stunning 37-ball century and quickfire cameos such as a 15-ball 40 and a 33-ball 57.

Following his initial IPL exposure, Sooryavanshi transitioned to age-group international cricket, where he dominated representing India. He featured in several Under-19 bilateral series against formidable opponents like England and Australia. His breakout international performance came during the Under-19 Asia Cup in 2025, where he amassed 261 runs across five matches. He carried this rich vein of form into the Under-19 World Cup in 2026, finishing the tournament with 439 runs from seven innings at an astonishing strike rate of 169.50.

Rewriting the Record Books in IPL 2026

While his previous achievements were highly promising, his performances in the IPL 2026 season have elevated him to legendary status. Sooryavanshi has played with a level of audacity that has left even veteran international cricketers in awe. He currently holds the record for the most sixes hit in a single T20 tournament, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle.

His historic performance in the IPL Eliminator, where he hit 12 massive sixes on his way to 97, catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard, earning him the prestigious Orange Cap. Over the course of 15 matches in the 2026 season, Sooryavanshi has maintained a mind-boggling strike rate of 242.85. With four half-centuries and one spectacular century to his name, he has accumulated runs at a brilliant average of 45.33.

As Rajasthan Royals continue their quest for championship glory, the young 15-year-old from Bihar stands at the forefront of their campaign. With his fearless approach, impeccable timing, and unmatched power-hitting, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not just the future of Rajasthan Royals—he is the future of Indian cricket.