In the world of cricket, we often talk about "destructive" batting. Usually, it’s a metaphor for dismantling a bowling attack. But for Rajasthan Royals' teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, "destructive" recently became very, very literal.

During a high-intensity practice session ahead of the IPL 2026 season, the 14-year-old southpaw unleashed a pull shot so ferocious it didn't just clear the ropes—it physically broke the ground's infrastructure.

The Shot Heard 'Round the Camp

Rajasthan Royals recently shared a clip on their social media handles with the simple caption: "just sooryavanshi things." In the video, Vaibhav is seen deep in his crease, anticipating a short delivery. With the timing of a veteran and the raw power of a player twice his age, he swiveled and hammered a pull shot toward the square leg boundary. The ball screamed off the bat and struck a water pipeline running adjacent to the practice area. Laser247 The impact was so severe that the pipe burst instantly, sending a fountain of water into the air and leaving teammates and coaching staff in awe.

Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

If you haven't been following the meteoric rise of this Bihar-born wonderkid, here is a quick refresher on why the cricket world is buzzing:

• The Youngest Ever: In 2025, at just 14 years and 23 days old, he became the youngest player to debut in IPL history.

• Record Breaker: He holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian (35 balls), a feat he achieved against Gujarat Titans.

• U19 World Cup Hero: Earlier this month, he powered India to the U19 World Cup title, smashing a historic 175 off just 80 balls in the final against England.

• Priority: Cricket: Vaibhav recently made headlines for skipping his CBSE Class 10 board exams to join the Rajasthan Royals' pre-season camp in Nagpur. His father, Sanjeev, noted that while Vaibhav is a 90% student, "cricket is the priority right now."

A New Era for the Royals

The video comes at a time of major transition for Rajasthan Royals. With Riyan Parag taking over the captaincy from Sanju Samson and legendary Kumar Sangakkara returning as Head Coach, the franchise is leaning heavily into its youth-centric philosophy.

Vaibhav’s "plumbing-shattering" power is a clear signal to the rest of the league: the youngest centurion in T20 history isn't just looking to participate in IPL 2026; he’s looking to dominate it.

As the Royals gear up for their opening match on March 26, one thing is certain—the groundskeepers might want to reinforce the pipes whenever Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walks out to the middle.

What do you think of Vaibhav's decision to skip exams for the IPL? Is he India's next multi-format superstar? Let us know in the comments!