NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary IPL 2026 run has ignited a fresh discussion about whether the 15-year-old batting sensation from Bihar should be moved up to India’s senior T20I setup sooner rather than later. Hailing from Samastipur, the teenager electrified the tournament by piling up 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.31, while also rewriting the record books by smashing 72 sixes. His performances earned him the Orange Cap and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
With Sooryavanshi already included in the India A squad on a tour of Sri Lanka, the pressure for his elevation to India’s next T20I assignment has intensified. India are set to play two T20Is in Ireland, beginning on June 26, with Ireland scheduled as the opponent later this month. Several former players have voiced support for an immediate promotion to the senior team.
However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes India should approach the decision with caution. He argued that Sooryavanshi could be considered after the current options in the lineup. “Vaibhav would be next in line after the incumbent players, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. But I’d like to see Vaibhav face conditions similar to those in the IPL, if he is picked for India at all,” Manjrekar said.
Manjrekar also suggested it may be too soon to throw the teenager into demanding overseas conditions. “Putting him straight into foreign conditions—overseas pitches like New Zealand or South Africa—might not be a great idea. He could go there and end up replicating what he has done in the IPL, but it’s a tough call when you look at the contenders. Whether Gill is ahead or whether it’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, it’s difficult to decide. Let it happen naturally and see how it goes,” he added.
The former cricketer pointed out how quickly perceptions can shift in T20 cricket. “A few months and things changed. Nobody was talking about Abhishek Sharma,” he remarked, highlighting the volatility of the format and selection narratives.
While Manjrekar admitted being impressed by Sooryavanshi’s power-hitting, he stressed that the youngster’s long-term path should be shaped by his own goals rather than public expectations. “If he wants to be known as a T20 sensation and focus on T20 cricket, then fine. That shouldn’t be held against him. But then you’re only going to be judged as a T20 phenomenal player. He also plays 50-over cricket, and there’s real value in certain conditions where he can bat in the first 10 overs and do what Rohit Sharma did in the 2023 World Cup. Even better than Rohit,” Manjrekar said.
Manjrekar further highlighted specific elements of Sooryavanshi’s game that stood out during his breakout season. “For me, the challenge in predicting a player’s future is that you only see the potential. What I take from his performances is truly exceptional for someone so young. He has clear hitting ability, excellent ball sense, and the range you can see—he’s able to strike the ball all around the park,” he said.
He was particularly drawn to the youngster’s fearless mindset and his habit of putting the team’s needs ahead of personal landmarks. “Three times he got out in the nineties. That tells you he doesn’t worry about reaching a hundred, and every time he has gone for the big shots. That’s what you like—if someone is selfless and doesn’t obsess over milestones, they won’t waste too many balls,” Manjrekar observed.
Manjrekar also noted Sooryavanshi’s ability to read match situations and adjust accordingly. “Even in that final playoff game, you could see him tone down his batting a little because Rajasthan Royals were losing wickets. There are a lot of things to appreciate about his approach,” he added.
For the moment, Manjrekar believes cricket fans should enjoy Sooryavanshi’s rise without rushing to make long-range judgments about his ceiling or trajectory. “What I can say with certainty at this stage is that he had a phenomenal IPL season—tremendous batting, strong consistency, and big scores. For someone so young, well done. I’m sure he must have been the most dangerous batter this season for any opposition,” he said.
Manjrekar concluded by urging patience as Sooryavanshi’s story develops. “I’m just going to stop there and see how this chapter unfolds going forward,” he remarked.
