According to 1983 World Cup champion Madan Lal, teen wonder Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has “god gifted talent and mindset” similar to those of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. Lal is a supporter for the 15-year-old’s immediate inclusion in the national team.
But according to Lal, if Sooryavanshi wants to be in the same league as greats like Tendulkar, he must also make a name for himself in Test cricket.
“He (Sooryavanshi) is extremely talented. Truly has a God gifted talent and mindset like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar,” Madan Lal told PTI in an exclusive interview on Monday.
“These players come once in a century. But to become great like them, he has to establish himself in Test cricket as well. Playing against Ireland, India A, 3-day matches will groom him well into the core of Indian cricket,” the former all-rounder said.
In the recently concluded IPL, Sooryavanshi was declared the most valuable player. With 776 runs from 16 innings at an average of 48.50 and an incredible strike rate of 237.30, he topped the batting list and won the Orange Cap with five fifties and a century. He struck 72 maximums in IPL 2026, surpassing West Indian Chris Gayle’s previous IPL record of the most sixes in a season (59).
According to Lal, Sooryavanshi was at par with the top three batsmen in India right now for Twenty20 cricket. In addition, he expressed concern that “some talented players might just get dropped because of Sooryavanshi.”
“Sooryavanshi is as good as Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan. But the latter are proven players, he has to prove himself at that level. No one can play or bat like Sooryavanshi. The kind of game he has shown to the world, it’s unbelievable. Every coach would want him to play but one has to see the team’s balance. He should not be sitting outside and his confidence will go. No question of saving him from anything,” said Lal, also a former India coach.
Regarding how to groom Sooryavanshi, Lal stated, “Sooryavanshi is a top talent no doubt, but the bigger question is, how do you groom him into the next level. I would like to judge him only after seeing a longer version of the game.
“What is needed is upgradation and stepping up of the game. Once he is into the scheme of things, it should not be a worry where and in which position he is playing. It’s all about combination. I am sure, he will fit in. Let him wait (in the dressing room) if need be. That’s also a learning process,” he noted.
Lal questioned why batting mainstay Virat Kohli left T20 and Test cricket and claimed that he was essential to the ODI lineup.
“There should never be any question on Virat Kohli’s ability, form and fitness in any format of the game. He did not sit out, or rest in any of the matches, got injured, that shows his hunger, commitment and passion for the game.
“Kohli is a rarity. I couldn’t understand why did he leave T20 and Test cricket. I think, he should have played two more years. He made his name in Test cricket. He was very successful as a player and captain. I can’t say whether he should come back from retirement to play Test cricket again. It depends on his fitness and mindset.”
Regarding the question of whether Subhman Gill ought to rejoin India’s Twenty20 International team, Lal stated, “Gill should be back in T20Is playing for India. Selectors must think about Gill for all formats. He is such a natural player. He can play any level any format any day.
“In T201 cricket one should be flexible in approach and batting order. But I would still prefer having a different captain in T20 format or less there is too much cricket & too much pressure.”
Additionally, Lal opposed Suryakumar Yadav’s removal from the T20I squad.
“Selectors should give SKY a longer rope. He has won a World Cup for India recently, how can one even think of dropping him? He is an extremely talented and proven match winner and a successful captain. No question of replacing him at all.
“You just can’t take away from him what he has achieved over the years. This has happened in India in the past. But I think it’s not happening any more. Talent is a talent and it cannot be ignored.”
Additionally, Lal believed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was left off of the ODI squad for the forthcoming home series against Afghanistan, had lost form due to a “lack of concentration” in his game.
“Pant is an extremely talented player. He actually deserves to play all three formats. Depends on where he plays. It all boils down to his seriousness level and ability to concentrate. After the accident, his game has changed, there is a lack of concentration. It depends on his mindset. Pant is also a rare talent. I will tell him to be mentally tough and play to the best of his ability.”
On senior batter Rohit Sharma’s future, he said: “Rohit should always be considered (for ODIs). What a player he is. No one can bat like him. He is a touch player. A very pleasant to watch the batsman.”
