Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Outpaces 5 IPL Legends in First 22 Innings as Opener

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi completely flipped the script in the recent IPL elimination match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Blasting a massive 97 runs off just 29 deliveries at Mullanpur, the young opener did more than just secure his team a spot in the next qualifier. He reached a statistical milestone that puts him ahead of some of the greatest players in cricket history.

When you look at the total number of runs scored after a player's first 22 innings as an IPL opener, Sooryavanshi’s tally outshines the early opening records of five absolute legends of the tournament.

Here is how his early numbers stack up against the competition.

1. Virat Kohli

It took time for Virat Kohli to transform into the opening powerhouse we know today at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Looking back at his first 22 innings at the top of the order, Kohli had accumulated 665 runs. During that early stretch, he maintained a solid average of 41.56, but his strike rate sat at a much more conservative 128.37. He crossed the fifty-run mark four times back then, highlighted by an unbeaten 82 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede in 2015, and a classy 75 against Hyderabad a year later.

2. Rohit Sharma

Even Mumbai Indians' legendary standard-bearer Rohit Sharma falls behind the young Rajasthan opener in a head-to-head comparison of their first 22 opening stints. Rohit managed 707 runs during his initial phase at the top, averaging 39.27 with a strike rate of 133.64. While he was highly consistent—notching six half-centuries—his breakout performance as an opener was a masterful 98 not out against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2015, followed by a steady 85 not out against Pune in 2016.

3. Chris Gayle

The fact that Sooryavanshi sits ahead of Chris Gayle on this specific list shows just how explosive his start has been. Granted, Gayle was incredibly lethal during his first 22 innings as an opener, racking up 899 runs at a towering average of 47.31 and a massive 166.17 strike rate. He even mechanicalized two centuries in that block—a 49-ball 107 against Punjab and a 102 against Kolkata in 2011. Yet, purely on the raw volume compared to Sooryavanshi’s current projection, the Universe Boss still tracks slightly behind.

4. Shubman Gill

Before becoming the captain and main pillar of Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill spent his early years finding his rhythm as an opener with KKR. After his first 22 walks to the crease at the top, Gill had a total of 724 runs to his name. He averaged 36.20 with a strike rate of 125.25, building his foundation on six half-centuries. His best early exploits included a fluid 76 off 45 balls against Mumbai in 2019 and a patient, unbeaten 70 against Hyderabad in the Abu Dhabi bubble.

5. David Warner

David Warner is widely regarded as one of the most successful overseas openers in IPL history, but his numbers at the very beginning of his opening journey were surprisingly modest. In his first 22 innings opening the batting for Delhi, the Australian left-hander scored 597 runs, averaging 28.42 with a strike rate of 133.85. Though he did manage a spectacular unbeaten 107 against Kolkata back in 2010, his overall consistency in that specific 22-match window couldn't match the standard Sooryavanshi has just set.