Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has made a forceful case for teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to get an India debut sooner rather than later. While some have urged selectors to wait for the 15-year-old to prove himself further, Shastri believes Sooryavanshi’s current form—and the way he handles senior-quality bowling—already makes him too good to ignore.
Shastri’s push for an early India debut
Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri dismissed the debate around Sooryavanshi’s age. He argued that the only question that matters is how the youngster is batting and how confidently he takes on opponents far older than him.
- Shastri said he does not care whether people label Sooryavanshi as 14, 15, or 16, adding that age is irrelevant to the present assessment of his batting.
- He pointed to Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach, saying the teenager has been taking on all comers—often twice his age, or even two and a half times—without hesitation.
- Shastri stated that Sooryavanshi is “very, very much in the reckoning” for higher honours.
- He highlighted the timing of upcoming international cricket, including the Ireland trip in June for two T20Is, suggesting that India should look at the teenager immediately.
- According to Shastri, T20 cricket is the right format to bring young talent into the system quickly, and Sooryavanshi is “not short by any margin”.
- He also said Sooryavanshi looks like the kind of player whose talent and fearless energy would allow him to fit into many sides in world cricket right now.
Why Sooryavanshi is being fast-tracked
Shastri’s confidence is backed by a run of performances that have placed Sooryavanshi among the standout young batsmen in white-ball cricket. The teenager has continued to make an impact in the IPL and has now earned a place in India’s pathway setup as well.
- Sooryavanshi has been added to the India A squad for an ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, scheduled from June 9 to June 21.
- After the tri-series, the main India team will tour Ireland for two T20Is later in June.
- India then flies to England for a packed schedule: five T20Is followed by three ODIs.
IPL 2026 impact and standout numbers
Sooryavanshi’s IPL production has been difficult to ignore. He has already delivered big scores against top bowling attacks and has shown the ability to convert starts into match-defining innings.
- In IPL 2026, he has amassed 440 runs in 11 matches.
- His average stands at 40, with a strike rate of 236.56.
- He has struck 103 off 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Sooryavanshi has hit six fours in the 40s this season (40+ scores), with the six 40s being the maximum by any batter in the IPL 2026 campaign.
Form beyond the IPL
Shastri’s argument also rests on a wider body of work showing that Sooryavanshi’s big-game temperament is not limited to one league.
- Last year, he scored a century off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans.
- Earlier this year in the Under-19 World Cup final, he struck 175 off 80 balls in Harare as India beat England comfortably.
- He is the youngest player in world cricket to register a List A hundred while playing for Bihar last year.
Match night: Sooryavanshi vs Delhi Capitals
With Shastri’s backing ringing in his ears, Sooryavanshi returns to action tonight against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The timing of this opportunity could set the stage for yet another record-chasing spell as he looks to keep building on an extraordinary run.
