WWE star Drew McIntyre joins Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fan club, Riyan Parag stunned – WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre Backs IPL Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Tanay Hughes · 27/05/2026 · 4 min read

A Surprising Crossover: McIntyre Backs the Royals

The exhilarating atmosphere of IPL 2026 has reached far beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch, drawing attention from global sporting icons. Most recently, WWE superstar Drew McIntyre became the latest high-profile celebrity to join the growing fan club of Rajasthan Royals’ explosive batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The wrestling icon took to social media to showcase his support, donning a Rajasthan Royals jersey in a video that has sent social media into a frenzy.

In the clip, McIntyre is seen performing weightlifting exercises while sporting a jersey emblazoned with Sooryavanshi’s name. His caption was simple yet powerful: ‘Chosen One.’ This moniker carries significant weight in the wrestling world, as it has been McIntyre’s signature identity since his debut in 2009. By tagging the official Rajasthan Royals account, McIntyre signaled his firm allegiance to the franchise as they prepare for the high-stakes final stages of the tournament.

Riyan Parag’s Star-Struck Reaction

The impact of the video was not lost on the Rajasthan Royals camp. Captain Riyan Parag, clearly impressed by the crossover, reacted with enthusiasm. ‘Omgggggg don’t remember how many Future Shock DDTs I’ve hit on 2K,’ Parag commented, referencing the iconic wrestling moves featured in the popular WWE 2K video game series. This lighthearted interaction highlights the camaraderie and cultural crossover that defined the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign this season.

The official Rajasthan Royals social media team also chimed in, replying with a simple ‘Certainly,’ effectively doubling down on their support for their 15-year-old prodigy who has captured the imagination of the entire league.

The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise is no accident. While he made waves as a breakout sensation in 2025, his performance in the 2026 edition of the IPL has been nothing short of transformative. He has firmly established himself as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the league, combining technical prowess with an aggressive intent that has bowlers fearing every delivery.

The statistics reflect his dominance. Over the course of 14 league matches, Sooryavanshi has amassed 583 runs. What makes this figure truly staggering is the manner in which he scores: maintaining a solid average of 41.64 alongside a monstrous strike rate of 232. With three half-centuries and a spectacular century to his name this season, he has been the engine room of the Royals’ batting lineup.

Perhaps most impressively, Sooryavanshi has cleared the ropes 53 times this year. He currently sits just seven sixes away from breaking the all-time record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, a testament to his sheer power and timing.

The Eliminator: Road to the Final

The support from a global star like McIntyre provides a timely morale boost for the Royals as they face a do-or-die scenario. On Wednesday, Rajasthan Royals will clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. Having finished fourth on the points table, compared to SRH’s third-place finish, the stakes could not be higher.

The match, scheduled at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, promises to be a thriller. For the loser, the journey concludes; for the victor, the path leads directly to Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the Gujarat Titans are already waiting. The ultimate prize remains the IPL trophy, to be contested in the final in Ahmedabad on May 31 against the already-qualified Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan Royals’ road to the playoffs was far from easy. After a blistering start that saw them win their first four matches, the team hit a rough patch, losing six of their subsequent eight games. However, their ability to recover and win their final two matches without relying on external permutations proved their resilience. As they face Sunrisers Hyderabad, all eyes will be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenager who has not only captured the hearts of fans but also the attention of international sporting titans like Drew McIntyre.

Tanay Hughes

Tanay Hughes is a senior cricket correspondent for the Daily FT, Sri Lanka’s leading financial daily. Of Burgher descent, Hughes grew up steeped in the island’s rich literary and cricketing traditions. He covers the national team, the World Test Championship, and the domestic circuit with a special focus on spin bowling and the transformation of cricket infrastructure after the civil war. His work also explores the business side of the sport, including broadcasting deals and the financial pressures on smaller Test-playing nations. A Colombo native and University of Colombo graduate, Hughes is a regular voice on Sri Lankan television panels and contributes to The Cricketer and Wisden online.