“I don’t think you pay anyone else more than him”

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke hailed Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, calling him the most valuable player of the IPL at the moment, after the latter’s heroics in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old produced a season for the ages with the bat, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 776 runs at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30 in 16 outings.

Suryavanshi also broke the single IPL season record for sixes, smashing a remarkable 72 maximums. The youngster was also named the Player of the Tournament.

Talking about Suryavanshi after the IPL 2026 season came to a close, Clarke said on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast (13:20):

“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.”

He continued:

“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.”

Suryavanshi’s exploits helped RR qualify for the playoffs after finishing second-from-bottom last year.

“He’s good enough to already be playing in the shortest format for India” – Michael Clarke on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s national call-up

Michael Clarke believes Vaibhav Suryavanshi should immediately be drafted into the Indian T20I squad, given his IPL 2026 performance. The former Australian captain also called the teenage sensation a potential all-format player, given the game awareness he displayed at times in the 2026 IPL season.

“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).

Clarke concluded:

“He will be good enough to play all three formats and dominate in all of them for India. He’s too talented and reads the game so well. In the Second Qualifier, he didn’t have the perfect batting conditions. He still managed to get a 90 off 40-odd balls. He showed game awareness and the skill to not just stand and smack every ball for six in the powerplay. It’s going to be tough for Rajasthan to keep him because everyone wants him.”

Despite playing in his first IPL playoffs, Suryavanshi showed no signs of nerves, smashing a pair of 90s in the Eliminator and Qualifier 1 at strike rates of over 200.