Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on AI chip claims: 'God installed it in my bat'
Synopsis
A Pakistani analyst's joke about an AI chip in his bat has gone viral — and 16-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's deadpan reply ('God installed it') is the perfect punchline. With 400 IPL runs at a 238.10 strike rate and the Orange Cap ahead of Kohli and KL Rahul, the teenager is no longer a curiosity. He's the story of IPL 2025.
Key Takeaways
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi responded to viral AI chip bat claims by joking, "God has given it to me...
I am using that," in a video posted by Rajasthan Royals on X .
Pakistani analyst Nauman Niaz originally made the tongue-in-cheek remark on his show 'Smaash Hit' , comparing the bat to a doping test candidate.
Sooryavanshi scored 43 runs off 16 balls against Punjab Kings on Tuesday , triggering the latest wave of attention.
In 9 IPL 2025 matches , he has scored 400 runs at an average of 44.44 and a strike rate of 238.10 , including 1 century and 2 fifties .
He currently holds the Orange Cap , ahead of Abhishek Sharma , Virat Kohli , and KL Rahul .
Rajasthan Royals teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has responded to viral social media claims that his bat contains an AI chip, delivering a witty, composed reply that has since grabbed widespread attention. The 16-year-old quipped that whatever power he possesses comes straight from above — and if anything is installed, it was put there by God.
"God has given it to me. He himself said something is installed in my bat. I am using that," Sooryavanshi said in a video released by Rajasthan Royals on X.
Where the AI Chip Joke Originated
The lighthearted controversy was sparked by Pakistani cricket analyst Nauman Niaz, who expressed astonishment at Sooryavanshi's shot-making ability during an episode of his show 'Smaash Hit'. Niaz jokingly called for the bat to be sent to a laboratory, drawing a playful comparison to doping checks conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
"Think about it. What is this kid? Get his bat checked. Like WADA conducts dope tests, send him to a lab. He probably used an AI chip in his bat. He is unreal. What a player," Niaz said on the show.
Niaz also noted the teenager's technical sophistication, adding: "When you're 18, your body builds muscle… this one is just 16. He doesn't have the power game as much as he has technique… he used the full 360 degree."
The Knock That Reignited the Buzz
The renewed attention around Sooryavanshi follows his latest explosive innings against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday. Chasing a challenging total, the young opener blazed to 43 runs off just 16 balls, giving Rajasthan Royals a flying start at the top of the order.
Sooryavanshi's IPL 2025 Numbers
Beyond the individual fireworks, Sooryavanshi's consistency across the tournament has been equally striking. In nine matches, he has accumulated 400 runs at an average of 44.44, paired with a remarkable strike rate of 238.10. His tally includes one century and two fifties, placing him firmly among the leading run-scorers of the season.
Orange Cap and the Company He Keeps
Sooryavanshi is currently holding the Orange Cap — the award for the tournament's top run-scorer — staying ahead of established names including Abhishek Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. At just 16, his dominance over a field of seasoned internationals underscores what many observers are calling one of the most startling breakout seasons in IPL history. Whether or not a deity deserves the credit, the numbers suggest Sooryavanshi is only getting started.
Point of View
But the numbers behind it are serious. A 16-year-old leading the IPL Orange Cap race ahead of Kohli and KL Rahul is not a fluke — it is a structural statement about how early talent identification and aggressive promotion are reshaping Indian cricket. What Sooryavanshi represents is the BCCI's long-term investment in junior pathways paying off in real time. The more uncomfortable question for franchise cricket is whether the system is equipped to protect a teenager carrying this much expectation, or whether the IPL spotlight will do what it has done to promising youngsters before.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi say about the AI chip in his bat?
Sooryavanshi responded humorously, saying 'God has given it to me. He himself said something is installed in my bat. I am using that.' The reply was shared in a video posted by Rajasthan Royals on X.
Who started the AI chip bat joke about Sooryavanshi?
Pakistani cricket analyst Nauman Niaz made the joke on his show 'Smaash Hit', suggesting Sooryavanshi's bat should be sent to a lab like a WADA doping test, given the teenager's extraordinary hitting ability.
How has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi performed in IPL 2025?
In 9 matches, Sooryavanshi has scored 400 runs at an average of 44.44 and a strike rate of 238.10, including one century and two fifties. He is currently the Orange Cap holder.
Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a 16-year-old opening batter playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. He has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the tournament, outscoring veterans like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in the run charts.
What did Sooryavanshi score against Punjab Kings?
Sooryavanshi scored 43 runs off just 16 balls against Punjab Kings on Tuesday, giving Rajasthan Royals a blazing start while chasing a challenging total.
