The IPL 2026 season has quickly turned into a showcase for India’s next wave of T20 talent, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerging as one of the biggest talking points for future national selection. The teenage batter has already piled up 254 runs in seven matches for Rajasthan Royals (RR), sparking debate about whether he could be fast-tracked into India’s T20I setup.
Chandrakant Pandit’s caution on Sooryavanshi’s India debut
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach Chandrakant Pandit—who led the franchise to an IPL title in 2024—has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to handle Sooryavanshi’s potential debut with care. Pandit suggested that while the timing might feel right to give the youngster an opportunity, the board must consider how best to manage the pressure and expectations that come with international cricket.
In his comments, Pandit said the central questions around a player like Sooryavanshi are not just about whether he should be selected, but also when to give him chances, when to slow things down, and which opponents would be most suitable for his early exposure. He emphasised that the goal should be to nurture the player properly rather than rush his development.
“With a young talent like him, the key questions are when to give him opportunities, when to hold back, and against which teams he should be introduced. The aim is to nurture him properly. The selectors will certainly be considering all of this carefully,” Pandit said.
Pandit also noted that once a rare talent like this arrives, everyone around the game—selectors and team-mates alike—takes notice. However, he argued that giving the youngster the right amount of time to settle is crucial, because international cricket presents a different level of challenge and can quickly become overwhelming for someone so young.
“Players like this are rare, and when they come along, everyone—from selectors to team-mates—takes notice. I believe the time is right to give him an opportunity. However, it’s equally important to give him enough space and time to settle in, because international cricket is a different challenge and can bring pressure, especially for a young player,” he added.
Support for Rajat Patidar’s return to India
Beyond Sooryavanshi, Pandit also threw his weight behind the India re-selection of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar. Pandit is currently coaching Patidar at the state level with Madhya Pradesh, and he believes the batter’s current form makes a strong case for him to be playing at the international level.
“Definitely he has got the quality and he should be playing. I mean, on these performances where he is now scoring runs in T20, the way he has been batting—it’s not only about scoring but the way he is batting, the way he is dominating. Obviously, he should get the opportunity,” Pandit said.
Patidar has been among the standout middle-order performers in IPL 2026, striking 230 runs in six games while maintaining a strike rate of 212.96, underlining why Pandit believes his opportunities should extend beyond franchise cricket.
