TOI Online Poll: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi voted breakout star; 86% fans say IPL has become too batting-friendly

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.