Teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi may be making waves with his fearless batting, but veteran cricketer Shikhar Dhawan believes the young star is heading toward a far tougher challenge in IPL 2026.

Currently dominating England with his explosive knocks in the India U-19 ODI series, Vaibhav has turned heads once again after a stellar IPL 2025 debut with Rajasthan Royals, where he smashed 252 runs in just 7 matches with a mind-blowing strike rate of 206.55.

But as his fame rises, so do expectations — and now comes a word of caution from one of Indian cricket’s most experienced voices.

What Shikhar Dhawan Said

In a recent interview, Shikhar Dhawan praised Vaibhav’s raw talent and fearless approach, saying:

“What is his age right now, 13-14? Playing IPL at this age is a big deal. When I see his confidence while hitting big shots, I’m very surprised.”

He acknowledged that the IPL dream is now common for kids as young as five, but Vaibhav has already turned that dream into reality at a shockingly young age.

Yet Dhawan didn’t just offer praise — he issued a strong warning too.

The Warning: Handling Fame and the Real Test in IPL 2026

Dhawan noted that fame and money will now be the biggest challenges for the young player.

“How he handles the pressure of popularity and wealth will define his long-term journey,” Dhawan said.

He credited Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour — both part of the Rajasthan Royals support system — for helping Vaibhav stay grounded during IPL 2025. Dhawan stressed that having mentors like them will be crucial as the youngster navigates pressure at such a young age.

Looking ahead to IPL 2026, Dhawan believes Vaibhav will no longer be an unknown quantity:

“Now the bowlers will know his strengths. They’ll come better prepared. It will be a real test of his mental strength and adaptability.”

Vaibhav’s Stats So Far

• IPL 2025: 252 runs in 7 matches

  • Strike rate: 206.55

  • Average: 36

  • 1 century, 1 half-century

• Ongoing U-19 series vs England: 48, 46, 86 in first 3 ODIs

  • 17 sixes across these innings