Sanath Jayasuriya Highlights Young Indian Cricket Stars Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Praise for Young Talents

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has expressed admiration for India's emerging batting talents, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing their potential to become significant contributors to the national team. Jayasuriya, renowned as one of the greatest all-rounders and a formidable batsman of his time, shared his insights during the Corporate Cricket World Cup launch event in Gurugram.

Abhishek Sharma's Impact

Jayasuriya noted that Abhishek Sharma has firmly established his position within the Indian team, recognizing his role and consistently delivering strong performances. He views the emergence of young players like Abhishek as a promising sign for the future of Indian cricket.

"He is a player who has made his mark in the team. He understands the significance of his role and has consistently given his best. Each player aspires to excel for their country, and these young talents represent a bright future for Indian cricket," he stated.

Recent Achievements of Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma recently achieved a remarkable feat by scoring a record-breaking century against Afghanistan in the third T20I at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. He scored 108 runs off just 34 balls, reaching his century in a mere 31 deliveries, contributing to India's total of 221/7 after batting first.

His outstanding performance earned him the titles of Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his contributions throughout the three-match series. India subsequently bowled out Afghanistan for 94 runs in 14.1 overs, with Ravi Bishnoi and Nitish Kumar Reddy each taking three wickets. This 127-run victory not only secured a 3-0 series win for India but also marked Afghanistan's heaviest defeat in T20I history, with their total of 94 being their lowest against India in this format.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A Rising Star

Jayasuriya also referred to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an exciting prospect for the future of Indian cricket, while emphasizing the need for him to continue his hard work.

"He is definitely an exciting talent for the future of Indian cricket. However, he has a long journey ahead and must remain dedicated. I hope he will deliver for India," he remarked.

Sooryavanshi's Impressive Journey

At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi has made significant strides in cricket. He recently became the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history, breaking a 57-year-old record. During the Duleep Trophy 2026 semifinal against Central Zone, he scored an impressive 92 runs off 81 balls in the first innings and followed it with a crucial 40 runs in the final innings, leading East Zone to a four-wicket victory and a spot in the final.

Prior to this, Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe, earning his first Player of the Series award as India completed a clean sweep. Earlier in the T20I series against England, he became the youngest Indian to make his international debut.

His debut followed a stellar IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, where he accumulated 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, including a century and five fifties. He finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, hitting a record 72 sixes and receiving multiple post-season accolades, including the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player.

Additionally, he had a remarkable ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign earlier this year, scoring 439 runs and being named Player of the Tournament, showcasing his immense potential.

Corporate Cricket World Cup Launch

The Corporate World Cup (CWC), touted as the first global corporate cricket tournament, was officially launched in Gurugram. This initiative aims to unite the corporate cricket community through a structured competition across 24 cities, culminating in the inaugural Corporate World Cup scheduled for July 2027.

Organized by Pro Corporate League (PCL), a pioneer in corporate cricket with a 15-year legacy, the tournament seeks to elevate corporate cricket to an international level.