TOI Online Poll: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi voted breakout star; 86% fans say IPL has become too batting-friendly
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ANI photo)NEW DELHI: IPL 2026 has reached its business end, and a TOI Online poll has revealed how fans feel about the season and what they expect from the playoffs. In the lead-up to the IPL 2026 playoffs, cricket fans shared their opinions through poll responses on TOI Online. The race to predict the eventual champions turned out to be a close one, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerging as the favourites. Around 39% of the voters backed the Virat Kohli-starrer side to lift the trophy. RCB finished on top of the league table on the basis of superior net run rate after registering nine wins in a gruelling 70-match league stage. They ended level on points with second-placed Gujarat Titans and third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad. After RCB, fans picked Gujarat Titans as the next favourites, with the Shubman Gill-led side receiving 24% of the votes. SRH followed with 21%, while fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals received 16% support. One of the biggest talking points of the poll was the question: “Who is the most promising talent of IPL 2026?” The result was largely one-sided, with 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi securing a massive 89% of the votes. The young Rajasthan Royals opener has become one of the breakout stars of the season. Prince Yadav of Lucknow Super Giants came a distant second with 7%, while Anshul Kamboj and Kartik Sharma of Chennai Super Kings received 2% votes each. The poll also reflected growing concerns about the balance between bat and ball in the IPL. A massive 86% of fans felt that the tournament has become increasingly batting-friendly, something reflected in the record number of 200-plus totals this season. Viewership trends also showed a shift towards digital consumption. Around 43% of the respondents said they watched IPL matches on Smart TVs via streaming apps, while 27% preferred mobile phones. Traditional cable television accounted for 25% of the viewership, with only 5% watching on computers or laptops. Another major concern among viewers was the increasing use of technology in matches. About 54% of the fans felt that excessive technological interventions disrupted the momentum and flow of the game.Stay updated with the upcoming IPL match between RCB vs GT and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.End of Article
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