Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Young Star Set to Shine in International Cricket
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Anticipated Debut
New Delhi, June 27: As India prepares to face Ireland in the second T20I and subsequently England in a five-match T20I series, all eyes are on the promising young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is on the brink of his international debut following an impressive IPL season.
In a discussion on Sky Sports, former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara shared insights into how the Rajasthan Royals identified Sooryavanshi. He recounted, “In 2023, our analyst Akshay informed us about a 12-year-old named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting his exceptional talent. His coach, Manish Ojha, had advised Vaibhav's father that the boy was ready for professional cricket at just 12. Initially, we were skeptical, thinking it was a joke, but Akshay was adamant, so we invited him for a trial.”
Sangakkara continued, “At that time, Rahul Dravid was the head coach at Rajasthan Royals. After watching him for just a few minutes, they decided, ‘We must sign this kid.’ I first witnessed Vaibhav during a camp in Guwahati, where he faced bowlers Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma. While others hesitated, Vaibhav confidently stepped up to bat. The sound of his bat striking the ball was remarkable, and he handled Archer and Sandeep effortlessly, even making Archer laugh at one point.”
During a recent tri-nation series in Sri Lanka, which included Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A, Sooryavanshi scored 211 runs across five innings, averaging 42.20 with a striking rate nearing 201. His highest score was 94, and he achieved a remarkable feat by hitting the fastest List A fifty in just 11 balls against Sri Lanka A.
Sooryavanshi's stellar performance in the IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, where he accumulated 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, has earned him his first national call-up. His season included a century, five fifties, and a record-breaking 72 sixes, making him the tournament's top run-scorer.
He also received several accolades post-season, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker, and Super Sixes awards.
Reflecting on Sooryavanshi's remarkable self-assurance, Sangakkara shared an anecdote from the season: “In a match against Lucknow Super Giants, they needed to chase down 220 runs. As Vaibhav prepared to open the innings, he winked at me and confidently stated, ‘Coach, don’t worry. We’ve got this.’ He then told his teammates, ‘I’m going to hit 13 sixes today; you just finish the job.’ He ended up hitting 10 sixes, surprising everyone.”
India faced a setback in the first T20I against Ireland, losing by 34 runs. The upcoming second T20I in Belfast will be significant, especially with Sooryavanshi potentially making his debut, which would make him the youngest Indian to play international cricket at just 15 years old.
On Sooryavanshi's ability to handle the fame and attention, Sangakkara expressed confidence: “I believe he will manage the spotlight well. At Rajasthan Royals, we focus on supporting him and keeping him grounded. His family and team support will be vital as he navigates his opportunities in cricket and beyond. Vaibhav is passionate about batting and the game itself, and he remains curious about various aspects of life outside cricket. I am certain he will become a significant player in Indian and global cricket.”