Michael Vaughan Advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Inclusion in India's England Tour

Vaughan Supports Sooryavanshi's Selection

Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, has expressed his support for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting that the young talent should be considered for India's upcoming white-ball series in England scheduled for July. Vaughan commended the teenager's performance after he played a pivotal role in the Rajasthan Royals' victory over Chennai Super Kings, scoring a rapid half-century off just 15 balls during their IPL 2026 match in Guwahati.

If Sooryavanshi makes his debut for India, he would become the youngest player in men's international cricket, surpassing the record set by Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan in 1989. Vaughan emphasized the importance of integrating Sooryavanshi into the Indian team environment early on, stating, "I know we’re probably getting ahead of ourselves since it’s only the first innings of the IPL. But with a white-ball tour of England coming up in a few months, if I were Indian cricket, I’d take him on that tour." He added that while Sooryavanshi may not immediately secure a spot in the playing XI, exposure to the team setup is crucial.

In contrast, former Indian all-rounder R Ashwin advised a more measured approach, suggesting that the young player should be allowed to develop at his own pace. Ashwin remarked, "Don’t give him such a target. He is not even a guy, he is a kid. If MS Dhoni is playing till 45, and if Sooryavanshi plays till 40, he has two and a half decades left in cricket. Leave him alone, he will come on his own when the time is right." He expressed confidence in Sooryavanshi's talent, stating that he will eventually play for India, but emphasized the need for patience.

As discussions about a potential call-up for Sooryavanshi continue, he remains focused on his performance in the Royals' next match against Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings on April 3 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.