IIM Indore to study IPL teen cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise to stardom

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will reportedly undertake a research study on teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to examine how early success, fame and public expectations affect child prodigies, a senior institute official said on Tuesday.

As per reports, the study will focus on the 15-year-old batter, who emerged as one of the biggest stars of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after a record-breaking season for Rajasthan Royals.

Sooryavanshi finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer, amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30. He was named the IPL's Most Valuable Player, won the Orange Cap and collected a total of five awards during the season.

IIM Indore Director Himanshu Rai reportedly said the study would seek to understand not only the cricketer's exceptional on-field achievements but also the factors that contribute to the development of young individuals who attain extraordinary success at an early age.

He noted that while many child prodigies around the world achieve remarkable success at a young age, they often face significant challenges arising from fame, wealth, social media attention, and growing public expectations.

Rai said Sooryavanshi had been chosen as the focal point of the research because cricket attracts unparalleled public attention in India, placing young players under intense scrutiny and pressure.

The Bihar-born left-handed batter enjoyed a remarkable IPL campaign, breaking the previous record held by Chris Gayle for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Sooryavanshi struck 72 sixes, surpassing Gayle's tally of 59.

He also impressed observers with his fearless batting against some of the world's leading bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins.

According to Rai, the study will bring together experts from psychology, sociology, human resources, communication and behavioural sciences.

The research is expected to begin within the next two weeks and be completed in approximately three months.

Rai said the findings would not be limited to sport and could prove valuable in understanding the development of gifted individuals in fields such as mathematics, science, the arts and other disciplines.

The study aims to generate practical recommendations and policy insights that can support the long-term and sustainable development of emerging talent, he said.

The findings will be submitted to academic journals and shared with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rai added.