‘Pehla Hi Uda Denge’ – Vaibhav Suryavanshi Reveals His Game Plan at BCCI Naman Awards Ahead of IPL 2026

March 16, 2026: As the Indian Premier League 2026 approaches, young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi once again grabbed attention after Sanju Samson revealed an amusing behind-the-scenes story from the teenager’s debut season with Rajasthan Royals. The moment was shared during the BCCI Naman Awards, where several Indian players gathered to celebrate the country’s recent cricketing achievements.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi made a remarkable debut in IPL 2025 at the age of just 14 years. He became the youngest-ever centurion in IPL history, smashing a 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur. Bought for Rs 1.1 crore by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Suryavanshi scored 252 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 206.55, with 1 century and 1 fifty. He carried on that form for the India Under-19 team and helped his side win the Under-19 World Cup 2026.

Suryavanshi made a statement with his very first ball in IPL, hitting a six off Shardul Thakur against Lucknow Super Giants. Former Royals captain Sanju Samson revealed Suryavanshi’s “game plan” shared before his IPL debut in front of ex-coach Rahul Dravid. “So Rahul sir asked him, ‘Vaibhav, what’s the plan?’ Vaibhav said, ‘Kuch nahi sir, hum to khelenge (Nothing sir, I’ll just play).’ So Rahul sir asked, ‘What’s your game?’ Vaibhav said, ‘Agar hume pehla ball mila to pehla hi uda denge (If I get the first ball in my area, I’ll hit it out),’” Samson said at the BCCI Naman Awards.

“Agar hume pehla mila, pehle hi uda denge!” 😄

Samson unveils Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s simple yet very effective strategy behind his fearless gameplay! 🙌💪

Watch BCCI Naman awards 👉https://t.co/8W5zMWhfvk pic.twitter.com/0f04IeP6S2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 15, 2026

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Eyes IPL 2026 Trophy

The 14-year-old from Bihar also smashed a match-winning 175 in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 final vs England, helping the Ayush Mhatre-led Indian side win. He was named Player of the Match in the final and also won the Player of the Tournament award.

Suryavanshi revealed that his next target is to win the IPL 2026 title with Rajasthan Royals, who will be led by Riyan Parag this season with Kumar Sangakkara as the new head coach. “The goal is to win the trophy for the team this season. If we win the trophy, it benefits the entire franchise as well as my own performance. My aim is to contribute as much as I can to help the team lift the trophy,” Suryavanshi said at the BCCI Naman Awards.

Rajasthan Royals will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on March 30.

At the same awards, Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were named Best International Cricketers (Men’s and Women’s) for their outstanding performances in the 2024–2025 season. Gill won the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award, while Mandhana received the award for the fifth time. For Gill, it was his second Cricketer of the Year award, after first winning it in 2023.

Former cricketers Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, and Mithali Raj were honoured with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the BCCI’s highest award, recognising their contribution to Indian cricket. India’s five trophy-winning sides — 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, 2025 U-19 Women’s World Cup, 2026 Men’s U-19 World Cup, and 2026 T20 World Cup — were also honoured on the awards night.