Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has urged the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to fast-track Vaibhav Suryavanshi into India’s T20I team. Vaibhav scored 96 runs off 47 balls against Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier at New Chandigarh on a tricky pitch, which had assistance for the fast bowlers, especially in the first innings.
The prodigy batter ended the IPL 2026 season with 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 237.30. He ended as the leading run-getter in the tournament and thus bagged the Orange Cap. Along with it, he was awarded the MVP of the tournament, Super Striker of the Season, Emerging Player of the season, and also bagged the award for the most sixes (72) in the season.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “He just has to be fast-tracked to the Indian T20I side. Chris Gayle is way behind him in all categories. There was nowhere even close to him for all the awards. Suryavanshi played his first full season this time only. And in one season, he swept away the awards.”
“Virat Kohli spoke to him for a long time, which is a very good sign. He would have learned a lot of things from Kohli. Imagine how proud Suryavanshi’s parents will feel.”
On the other hand, former Indian selector Srikkanth praised Rajat Patidar after the RCB skipper gave his gratitude to god. Patidar scored 501 runs in 15 innings and played a key role in the team’s success.
“He (Patidar) joins MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as repeat winners without even playing a T20I for India. And he humbly said it’s all written, which is a nice sign as he gave credit to god’s will. It also speaks to the greatness of the senior players in RCB, who support Patidar and do not make him look small,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
With this IPL title win, RCB became the third team, after CSK and MI, to win consecutive titles.

