Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another remarkable chapter to his already extraordinary cricket journey. The 15-year-old Indian batter has been named in TIME100 Next 2026, TIME magazine’s annual list recognising 100 emerging figures who are helping shape the next generation across sport, entertainment, business, science and other fields.
The biggest talking point is his age. Sooryavanshi is the youngest person on the 2026 TIME100 Next list, according to the announcement released by TIME. He is also one of only seven athletes selected this year and the only Indian athlete on the list.
TIME has placed the teenage cricket sensation in its ‘Phenom’ category. The recognition comes just months after Sooryavanshi’s rise from an exciting IPL teenager to a player who has already represented India at senior level.
For a youngster who is still only 15, the speed of his rise has been remarkable.
From 13-year-old IPL sensation to global name
Sooryavanshi first attracted major attention when Rajasthan Royals bought him at the IPL auction in 2024. He was only 13 at the time, making him the youngest player ever signed at an IPL auction. He then made his IPL debut in 2025 at the age of 14.
It did not take him long to announce himself.
Against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, the left-hander produced one of the most eye-catching innings of the tournament. He smashed a century from just 35 balls, becoming the youngest player to score a century in men’s T20 cricket. The knock was also the fastest IPL hundred by an Indian batter and the second-fastest century in IPL history at that point.
That innings changed the conversation around him.
Instead of simply being a talented teenager with potential, Sooryavanshi had shown that he could perform on one of cricket’s biggest domestic stages against experienced international bowlers.
His fearless approach was also noticed by former India coach Ravi Shastri, who spoke about the youngster during the 2025 IPL season. The ICC reported that Shastri admired his aggressive style while also stressing that a young player needs time to develop and learn from failure.
2026 took Vaibhav’s rise to another level
If IPL 2025 introduced Sooryavanshi to a worldwide cricket audience, 2026 established him as a genuine name to watch.
He enjoyed a huge second IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs in 16 matches, according to reports on his TIME100 Next recognition. His performances helped him finish as the tournament’s youngest Orange Cap winner and Emerging Player of the Year winner.
His progress did not stop with franchise cricket.
Sooryavanshi broke into India’s senior setup and made his T20I debut in 2026. That appearance made him the youngest Indian to play international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record.
He then continued to produce numbers that matched the hype.
During India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three matches, including an 81 off 49 balls in Harare. He also won the Player of the Series award. ICC highlighted his performance as another major step in the teenager’s development.
His record-breaking year also included the Under-19 World Cup. Sooryavanshi was part of India’s title-winning campaign and produced a sensational 175 from 80 balls in the final against England, while finishing the tournament as India’s leading run-scorer with 439 runs, according to reporting on the TIME100 recognition.
TIME100 Next 2026: who joins Vaibhav?
Sooryavanshi is the only cricketer among the seven athletes selected for this year’s TIME100 Next list.
The other sports personalities are American football quarterback Arch Manning, NBA star Tyrese Maxey, footballers Naomi Girma and Folarin Balogun, tennis player Alexandra Eala, and basketball player Olivia Miles.
TIME100 Next is designed to highlight emerging figures who could help define the next generation of their respective fields. TIME’s media information describes the annual list as recognising 100 people across five broad pillars: Artists, Phenoms, Leaders, Advocates and Innovators.
For Sooryavanshi, the recognition is significant because it places his cricket journey in a much wider global conversation.
He is no longer being discussed only as the next young Indian cricketer. His name is now appearing alongside emerging stars from different sports and industries around the world.
A correction worth knowing about Vaibhav’s record
There is an important distinction when discussing his latest achievement.
Sooryavanshi is the youngest person on the 2026 TIME100 Next list. However, he is not the youngest person ever to feature in the history of the TIME100 Next franchise. That record belongs to figure skater Alysa Liu, who was 14 when she appeared on the inaugural list in 2019.
That does not take anything away from the achievement. Being selected at 15 for the 2026 edition is still an extraordinary recognition, particularly given that he has already progressed from age-group cricket to the IPL and then international cricket in such a short period.
His inclusion also comes at an interesting point in his career.
At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already played at multiple levels and experienced the pressure of major tournaments. ICC’s player profile currently lists him as a 15-year-old left-handed batter whose international career began in 2026.
The next challenge will be maintaining that progress.
Former India coach VVS Laxman recently pointed towards fitness as an important area for Sooryavanshi as he develops his game. Laxman praised the youngster’s batting ability but said continued work on fitness would be important for his long-term progression.
That is perhaps the most interesting part of Sooryavanshi’s story. The records are already there, but his career is still at a very early stage.
From becoming the youngest player bought at an IPL auction to smashing a record-breaking T20 century, breaking India’s youngest international debut record and now entering the TIME100 Next 2026 list, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has moved at remarkable speed.
And at 15, there is still a long road ahead.
For Indian cricket fans, the teenager’s latest recognition will be another reason to keep an eye on his journey. Stay tuned with ROKOCRICKET for more updates, records and stories from the world of cricket. And if you enjoy these cricket stories, don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected.
