Sanjay Manjrekar Advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Inclusion in Indian T20 Team
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Stellar IPL Performance
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his belief that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is fully prepared to step into international cricket. Sooryavanshi has been making headlines in IPL 2026 while playing for the Rajasthan Royals, showcasing his talent against top bowlers. He currently leads the run charts for his team, amassing 404 runs in 10 matches with an impressive strike rate of 237.656. Given his remarkable performances, many former players and analysts are urging the BCCI to consider him for the Indian T20 squad. Manjrekar believes that the 15-year-old has demonstrated enough skill to earn his first cap in the T20 format. He stated, 'Considering IPL as a platform to assert his claim for the Indian T20 team, along with his performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored a century against Maharashtra, I think he’s proven himself. If someone is shining this brightly, then he’s ready.'
Challenges Ahead for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Despite his readiness, Manjrekar pointed out that Sooryavanshi's path to the national team may not be easy due to the stiff competition among openers. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Priyansh Arya are also vying for limited spots. 'He may be prepared, but are the others willing to step aside? There’s a significant competition for opening positions in India,' he remarked.
The Importance of Test Cricket
Manjrekar emphasized that while Sooryavanshi's technique is well-suited for T20 cricket, it may not translate effectively to Test matches, especially in challenging conditions like those found in Australia, England, and South Africa. 'Consistent T20 players often stay leg side and hit balls on middle stump through point by creating space. In Test cricket, the focus should be on getting close to the ball. You won’t score runs in England, Australia, or South Africa by avoiding it,' he explained.
He further noted that while T20 cricket can lead to financial success, true respect in the cricketing world comes from excelling in Test matches. Manjrekar encouraged Sooryavanshi to refine his technique and succeed in longer formats, stating, 'If you want your child to be famous and wealthy, T20 batting is the way to go. However, if you want him to earn respect from critics like us, he must learn to get close to the line of the ball.'