Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has praised Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his splendid run in the recently concluded IPL 2026. Clarke reckons no player would have fetched more money than Suryanvanshi if he enters the mega auction in the present scenario.

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.

Michael Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket podcast, “He’s definitely the talk of this year’s IPL. The poor kid was in tears when RR got knocked out, but he can hold his head high, as he had a stellar year. If the big auction was there this year and he was in it, I don’t think you pay anyone else more than him.”

“Every generation has that special player like Viv Richards, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, or Jacques Kallis, who is so influential to kids around the world. Similarly, this young kid will inspire the next generation of young boys and girls all around the world.”

The 2015 World Cup-winning captain said Suryavanshi is good enough to be playing at the top level for India in T20Is.

“Allow him time to evolve in the other formats, as he’s only 15. He will play the next T20I for India or at least definitely be in the squad. You’ll see him in a number of Indian squads just for the experience of traveling with the team, being around senior players, and training in different conditions around the world. He’s good enough to already be playing in the shortest format for India,” said Clarke (via the aforementioned source).

It would be interesting to note if the selectors would pick Vaibhav Suryavanshi in India’s T20I team.