‘I want to break that’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi targets Chris Gayle’s iconic IPL record

Did you hear what Vaibhav Suryavanshi just said? This 14-year-old batting sensation (he’s only 14 but hits like a grown-up.) has declared he wants to BREAK Chris Gayle’s UNBEATEN 175 run record in IPL. That’s the HIGHEST score in T20 history – 175 not out by Universe Boss in 2013. And Vaibhav said “I want that”. Let me tell you everything.

Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Vaibhav is a left-handed batter from Bihar. He is ONLY 14 years old (turning 15 on March 27, just before IPL starts.). He plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL and he is the YOUNGEST player ever to debut in IPL history.

In 2025, he became the youngest IPL centurion with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans . That’s the FASTEST century by an Indian in the IPL. He broke Yusuf Pathan’s record of 37 balls.

Then in the U19 World Cup 2026, he went CRAZY. Scored 439 runs in the tournament at strike rate 169.49, and in FINAL against England, he smashed 175 runs in 80 balls with 15 fours and 15 sixes. India won by 100 runs.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi sets his sights on the legendary 175 by Chris Gayle in the IPL😳 pic.twitter.com/by2Ap9tvdM
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) March 16, 2026

What Vaibhav Said at the BCCI Naman Awards?

At the BCCI Naman Awards in New Delhi on March 15, Vaibhav was on stage with Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma. Harsha Bhogle hosted and asked him a FUN question:

Which individual record would you most like to break?

Hit six sixes in an over

Break Chris Gayle’s 175-run record

Score the fastest IPL century

Vaibhav didn’t even think. He said: “Breaking that 175 record.”

“I want that.”

Why Chris Gayle's 175 is SO Special?

Chris Gayle’s 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in 2013 is LEGENDARY:

66 balls
13 fours
17 sixes
Strike rate 265.15.

It’s been 13 years and NO ONE has broken it. Only Brendon McCullum (158*) has come close. That’s how HARD it is.

Vaibhav Already Has 175 in U19 World Cup Final.

Fun fact: Vaibhav already scored 175 in a FINAL. In the U19 World Cup 2026 final vs England, he smashed 175 off 80 balls with 15 sixes . That’s the HIGHEST score in U19 World Cup final history.

So he KNOWS how to score big. Now he wants to do it in the IPL against international bowlers.

What Sanju Samson Revealed About Vaibhav?

At the same awards, Sanju Samson (RR captain) shared a HILARIOUS story about Vaibhav’s debut.

Before his first IPL match vs Lucknow Super Giants, Rahul Dravid (coach) called Vaibhav for a meeting. Dravid asked “Vaibhav, what’s the plan?”

Vaibhav replied: “Kuch nahi sir, hum to khelenge.” (Nothing special sir, I’ll just play.)

Dravid asked again: “What is your game plan?”

Vaibhav said: “Agar hume pehla ball mila to hum pehla hi uda denge.” (If I get the first ball, I’ll just smash it for six.)

Samson said: “I was like yeh alag video game hi khel raha hai.” (He’s playing a different video game.)

And guess what? He DID hit the first ball for SIX off Shardul Thakur.

Vaibhav’s IPL 2026 Goal: Win Trophy for RR

But Vaibhav isn’t just thinking about personal records. He ALSO said his MAIN goal is to win the IPL trophy for Rajasthan Royals.

RR won IPL only once – in 2008 under Shane Warne. They haven’t won since. Vaibhav wants to change that.

“The goal this IPL season is to win the trophy for the team, as it is a very important thing. I want to do well, and my performance will help the whole team.”

RR has a new jersey for 2026 that looks like the 2008 winning jersey, with Shane Warne’s number 23 on back . Maybe lucky.

Robin Uthappa’s Warning

Former India batter Robin Uthappa gave a caution about Vaibhav. He said this season might be HARDER because teams now know his game.

“I have been keenly observing every game Vaibhav is playing. He is phenomenal. But if you are going to watch him bat, I feel he is riding his luck a little bit. When the standard gets a little bit higher, a little tougher, and people now know where to bowl to him – the novelty has worn off.”

He said this season will be “educational” for Vaibhav. But he WILL still score runs.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi sets his sights on the legendary 175 by Chris Gayle in the IPL😳 pic.twitter.com/by2Ap9tvdM
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) March 16, 2026

🚨SANJU SAMSON ON VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI'S ATTITUDE BEFORE HIS DEBUT.🚨

- Sanju mimicking of vaibhav absolutely good 😂pic.twitter.com/S0LGcdS6Iq
— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 16, 2026

RR's First Match in IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals played their first match on March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati (RR’s second home).

This match is SPECIAL because:

Sanju Samson (traded to CSK) will play AGAINST RR.

Ravindra Jadeja (back in RR after 17 years) will play FOR RR.

Vaibhav vs CSK bowlers – can he hit sixes again?

Can Vaibhav Really Break Gayle’s Record?

Let’s be REALISTIC:

YES if:

He gets powerplay batting

Pitch is flat (like Chinnaswamy or Wankhede)

Bowlers have bad day

He stays not out till last over

NO if:

He faces Bumrah, Starc, Rabada early

Pitch is slow/turning

He gets out early

But this kid is SPECIAL. He already hit 175 in the U19 final, 101 in 35 balls in the IPL, and 439 runs in the World Cup. He has CONFIDENCE.

At the same time, attention has shifted to other global leagues where on-field performance remains the sole focus. Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s strong run at the top of the SA20 points table, driven by crucial bonus wins, highlights how franchise cricket elsewhere continues to thrive amid stability and sporting clarity.

Sunrisers Supreme: SEC Move Top of SA20 Table with Back-to-Back Bonus Point Wins

My Thoughts

You know what I think? Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the most EXCITING young cricketer I’ve ever seen. He’s 14 and talking about breaking Chris Gayle’s record. That’s not arrogance – that’s BELIEF.

His mindset is: “See ball, hit ball. Plan? What plan?”

Even if he doesn’t break the record THIS season, he will one day. He’s only 14. By the time he’s 25, he might break ALL records.