15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been the talk of the cricket world throughout the Rajasthan Royals’ incredible IPL season, is prepared to play for India, according to coach Kumar Sangakkara.
Even though Sooryavanshi scored 96 runs on Friday in Qualifier 2, Rajasthan was eliminated from the T20 championship after losing to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets.
However, Sooryavanshi, who leads the batting list with 776 runs at an average of 48.50 and a devastating strike-rate of 237.30 in 16 games, had the best season.
Despite missing out on a century for the second time in a row, he once again made an impression in New Chandigarh with a 47-ball knock that included seven sixes and eight fours.
“With everything Vaibhav’s shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he’s more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him,” AFP quoted Sangakkara as saying.
“I’m sure that he’ll get that (India) call-up very, very soon. He’s batted with a lot of maturity, he has shouldered the responsibility of that opening partnership so well for us this season.”
The teenage star reached his 50 in 31 balls, his slowest in the IPL, and kept the innings together when Rajasthan lost two quick wickets. After shifting gears, Sooryavanshi hit a six off Jason Holder down the ground. After a mis-hit to deep third man, he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. This dismissal was comparable to his last one on Wednesday when he smashed a 29-ball 97 in the Eliminator.
“I think we are very, very proud of the season that he’s had. And we just want to make sure that he keeps going, keeps that intent, keeps that no-fear attitude and keeps growing. I think he’s going to be even better as the years go by,” said Sangakkara.
When Sooryavanshi joined Rajasthan at the age of 13, he made his debut in 2025 at the age of 14, smashing a century off 35 balls.
“I think we’ve got a good plan around him. We don’t cut his mind too much. He comes to all our team meetings, he contributes, he listens. And he does a lot of homework. So we don’t want to put any unnecessary thoughts into his head. I think a clear mind, batting with that courage is exactly what we want to see of him,” said former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara.
Gujarat’s director of cricket, Vikram Solanki, praised Sooryavanshi, stating that the boy wonder is already among the T20 elite.
“I’ve not seen anyone bat like the way he bats, and I think in this format, probably he’s right now one of the best batters in the world,” said the former England batter.
“And it’s remarkable to see his biomechanics and his hand speed, and no matter what opposition he plays against… in the years to come, the opposition that he plays against is going to have a tough time against him.”
