Shubman Gill hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi amid orange cap race in IPL 2026 (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Shubman Gill has showered praise on young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the battle for the Orange Cap reaches its final stage in IPL 2026.
Speaking ahead of Gujarat Titans’ IPL final clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill described Sooryavanshi as one of the best batters in the T20 format at the moment and admitted that bowlers around the world could struggle against him in the coming years.
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Gill has been one of the standout performers of IPL 2026, scoring 722 runs for Gujarat Titans and sitting second in the Orange Cap standings.
Despite his impressive IPL campaign, Gill has remained out of India’s T20I setup after struggling for consistency in international T20 cricket during 2025. The opener said his focus remains on improving his game across all formats.
“I want to keep getting better as a T20 batsman, as an ODI batsman and as a Test batsman,” Gill said while reflecting on his preparations and mindset. He added that constant preparation and clarity about his goals help him remain mentally fresh even during long tournaments like the IPL.
The biggest revelation of the IPL season has been Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who currently leads the Orange Cap race with 776 runs.
Gill said he had rarely seen a batter dominate attacks in the manner Sooryavanshi has done this season. “The kind of season he’s had is remarkable. I’ve not seen anyone bat like the way he bats,” Gill said.
He further praised the youngster’s hand speed, batting mechanics and ability to attack quality bowling line-ups fearlessly. “I think in this format probably, he’s one of the best batters in the world right now. The opposition he plays against is going to have a tough time against him,” Gill added.
Gill also acknowledged the consistency of his Gujarat Titans opening partner Sai Sudharsan, who has scored 710 runs this season. According to Gill, Sudharsan’s disciplined preparation and ability to maintain intensity throughout a long tournament make him a special player.
