Sourav Ganguly Advocates Patience for Young Cricket Star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has urged fans and experts to give young batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the time he needs to develop after his historic selection for the national team. At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi has already made headlines by breaking Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record as the youngest player to be called up for the Indian men's team. Following an impressive IPL season, where he emerged as the top run-scorer, the young cricketer is set to face new challenges on the international stage. Ganguly's advice highlights the importance of nurturing young talent in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2026, 14:16 IST

Encouragement for Young Talent

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of India, has called on cricket enthusiasts and analysts to allow 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the necessary time and space to mature following his remarkable selection for the national team.

On Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the squads for the upcoming European tour, marking him as the youngest player ever to be chosen for the Indian men's cricket team. He surpassed a long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted for India against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16.

During a Kabuni event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Ganguly emphasized the importance of allowing the young player to develop at his own pace, despite the increasing attention surrounding him. He acknowledged that while Sooryavanshi has demonstrated his skills in the IPL, the pressure of representing the national team presents a unique challenge. "He is just 15 years old; we should let him be. I don't believe he will feel overwhelmed by the pressure. We've seen his IPL performances, but playing for India is a different ball game," Ganguly remarked in a video shared by Kabuni and Me Biz Team.

Impressive IPL Performance

Sooryavanshi's selection for the national team follows an outstanding performance in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with the Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed batsman finished as the tournament's top run-scorer, accumulating 776 runs with an impressive strike rate of 237.30. His explosive season included a record-setting 72 sixes, allowing him to break multiple IPL records and establish himself as one of the most promising young talents in Indian cricket.

The Bihar-born player dominated the post-season awards, securing titles such as Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, Orange Cap, and Super Sixes of the Season.

Upcoming International Matches

India's next challenge includes a two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by a five-match T20I series in England from July 1 to 11.

Additionally, Sooryavanshi is expected to participate in the 2026 Asian Games, where the men's cricket tournament will be held in T20 format from September 24 to October 3. India will compete against teams from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Oman for the gold medal.

The tournament will kick off with a preliminary qualifying stage from September 24 to 26, followed by the quarter-finals on September 28 and 29. The semi-finals are set for October 1, with the bronze medal match and final scheduled for October 3.