New Chandigarh, May 28: Fifteen-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has etched his name into IPL history, smashing past Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a single season. During the Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi hammered seven towering sixes, taking his tally beyond Gayle’s 59 sixes from IPL 2012.

The prodigious teenager lit up the knockout stage with a blistering 16-ball half-century, equalling Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoffs. He went on to score a breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls (12 sixes, 5 fours), narrowly missing Gayle’s fastest century mark of 30 balls set in 2013.

The stadium’s giant screen dubbed him the “Universe Baby Boss”, a playful nod to Gayle’s iconic “Universe Boss” title. His fearless hitting inside the Powerplay also set new benchmarks, including the most sixes in the first six overs of an IPL innings.

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Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking spree has intensified calls for his fast-tracked inclusion into the senior Indian team. With nearly 600 runs (583) this season, he is already set to feature for India-A in the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka under Tilak Varma’s captaincy.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal hailed the youngster as a “special talent,” stressing the importance of guiding him through the pressures of elite cricket. “Sport is not only about physical skill, it is also about mental toughness. We will ensure his temperament stays intact so he can perform for India for many years,” Dhumal said.

Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise has captivated fans and experts alike, marking him as one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket’s future.