Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the time has come for the BCCI selectors to stop delaying Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India call-up, after the 15-year-old produced a sensational display versus Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 on Tuesday. In an 11-over-a-side contest, Sooryavanshi struck 39 runs off only 14 balls to spark a rapid start for Rajasthan Royals, with two towering sixes off Jasprit Bumrah that left spectators and cricket watchers genuinely stunned. Pathan described the youngster as a “destiny’s child” and suggested he is achieving feats in white-ball cricket at an age when most players are still learning the basics at the top level.
Key takeaways
- Irfan Pathan urged the BCCI selectors to award Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his India cap without further delay.
- Sooryavanshi’s knock of 39 off 14 balls came in IPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday.
- The teenager struck two sixes off Jasprit Bumrah, immediately changing the mood of the contest.
- Pathan said Sooryavanshi looked as though he had been preparing specifically for Bumrah.
- Pathan also praised the aggressive mindset that, in his view, forced Bumrah to rethink his plans.
Sooryavanshi’s burst sets up Rajasthan
Rajasthan Royals got off to a scorching start in the shortened 11-over-a-side match, largely propelled by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old’s innings included a rapid acceleration that turned pressure into momentum for his side, as he reached 39 runs from just 14 deliveries. His impact was amplified by the way he took on Jasprit Bumrah, smashing two sixes off the Indian fast bowler—shots that Pathan felt were rare to see from a player so young.
Pathan calls it “destiny” and wants a fast-track to India
Speaking on YouTube, Pathan leaned into the idea that Sooryavanshi’s performances were not accidental, calling him “destiny’s child.” The former India star said he had never come across a player doing what Sooryavanshi is currently accomplishing in white-ball cricket at the age of 15. Pathan added that the youngster appeared to have been “waiting for this moment,” framing it as if Sooryavanshi had targeted Bumrah specifically after an earlier encounter.
Pathan explained the mindset he believes Sooryavanshi brought to the match: the youngster, according to Pathan’s recollection, seemed to have been thinking that he would get his opportunity against Bumrah again and make it count. Pathan highlighted that Sooryavanshi delivered on that plan immediately—hitting Bumrah on the first ball as the sequence unfolded.
Beyond the boundary hitting, Pathan focused on the approach. He said Bumrah appeared to have no clearly visible plans in response to Sooryavanshi’s aggression and that the teenager’s style forced the bowler to think again. In Pathan’s view, Bumrah is already regarded as a standout in white-ball cricket, and the fact that such a bowler was made to adapt was a major part of the story.
On the biggest question—whether the selectors should act—Pathan was direct. He insisted the 15-year-old should not be made to wait and should be brought into the Indian team environment as soon as possible. “Don’t make this boy wait too long,” Pathan said, adding that giving him the India cap would be the right step. He further argued that Sooryavanshi can enjoy a long professional career—potentially spanning two decades—which, in turn, could be a worrying prospect for bowlers facing him for years to come.
