Virender Sehwag Compares Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to His Own Playing Days

Sehwag Sees Reflections of His Style in Sooryavanshi

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has drawn notable comparisons between his illustrious career and the rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old batsman known for his aggressive style and fearless approach.

Currently, Sooryavanshi is part of the Indian squad competing in the T20I series against the West Indies. He recently contributed to the team's success in defending the Asian Games gold medal under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, where they triumphed over Pakistan in the final held in Nisshin.

Having progressed through Indian domestic cricket and the IPL, Sooryavanshi has already made a significant impact on the international stage, showcasing his ability to attack bowlers from the very first ball.

Sehwag's Praise for Sooryavanshi

As Sooryavanshi's talent continues to impress cricket enthusiasts, Sehwag commended the young player's fearless mindset and determination at the crease. During a session at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, he remarked that Sooryavanshi's aggressive batting style closely resembles his own.

"Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his mindset is similar to mine, focusing on hitting from the first ball. The key now is when he gets his chances and how many matches he plays for India," Sehwag stated.

VIDEO | Sehwag noted that he sees a reflection of his own daring style in Sooryavanshi's batting and encouraged the young talent to aim for a long career representing the nation.

Sooryavanshi's Impressive Stats

Sehwag, who has accumulated 17,253 runs in international cricket, contrasts with Sooryavanshi's current tally of 246 runs in eight T20Is, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 186.

"Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his thinking is somewhat similar to mine, that of hitting right from the first ball. Now, it is about when he gets the opportunity and how many matches he plays for India," Sehwag reiterated during the discussion.

Sooryavanshi gained recognition during the IPL 2025 and had a standout performance in the U19 World Cup 2026 Final against England. He also had a stellar IPL 2026 season, scoring 776 runs and earning the Orange Cap, solidifying his reputation as one of cricket's most exciting young talents.

Performance Over Age

In addressing the ongoing debate about age restrictions in cricket, Sehwag firmly rejected the idea that youth should hinder a player's selection for the senior national team.

He emphasized that once a player steps onto the IPL stage, age becomes irrelevant, and performance is what truly matters.

"If you are playing in an age category, it makes sense. If it's Under-19, your age should be under 19. But once you play the IPL or for India, age doesn't matter," Sehwag explained.

"A 38- or 40-year-old Kohli is playing, and a 15-year-old Sooryavanshi is also playing. Then, performance matters," he concluded.

Sooryavanshi's T20I Career Overview

In his T20I career, Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs, including two fifties, with an average of 30.75 and an impressive strike rate of 186.36 across eight matches.

Overall, in T20 cricket at all levels, he has amassed 1,723 runs, featuring four centuries and eight fifties, with an average of 42.02 and a striking rate of 214.83 in 42 matches. Notably, 1,464 of his runs have come from boundaries, highlighting his explosive batting style.