Questions about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s next step have taken over conversations online: when will the teenage leg-spinner batter make his debut for India, whether he should already be in the national setup, and when fans will finally see him in the India colours. With his IPL run drawing major attention, former India captain Anil Kumble has urged patience, insisting that the youngster should not be pushed into an artificial timetable.
Key takeaways
- Anil Kumble says Sooryavanshi’s path to India selection should not be hurried despite his standout IPL performances.
- Kumble believes the teenager is “doing all the right things” and is showing encouraging signs.
- The former spinner cautioned that asking a young player to target an India call-up within a short window can create unnecessary pressure.
- Kumble highlighted that Sooryavanshi still has plenty of time on his side for development.
- He added that selection interest will remain high as long as Sooryavanshi’s batting keeps impressing.
Kumble’s patience message for Sooryavanshi
Speaking on the growing debate around Sooryavanshi’s India prospects, Kumble suggested that the answer to the “when” question largely comes down to the player himself. “The player himself probably answers that question,” he said, pointing to how performance and progression determine timing in elite cricket.
Kumble also drew parallels with Sachin Tendulkar, recalling how the batting icon forced his way into the national team as a teenager by delivering consistent displays in the late 1980s. In that context, the message was not that Sooryavanshi should wait indefinitely, but that rapid advancement should be earned rather than scheduled.
Why Kumble believes time is on his side
Kumble acknowledged that Sooryavanshi is already moving in the right direction. He noted that the youngster is “doing all the right things,” and argued that it would be unrealistic to impose a specific deadline for an India call-up. “At this point in time, it’s a bit of pressure on a young lad to say, ‘I want you to play for India in two months’ time,’” Kumble said.
He then underlined the key advantage of youth: Sooryavanshi has time to learn, adapt, and keep building his game without the stress of immediate expectations. “Even 10 years later, he’s going to be 25,” Kumble remarked, emphasising long-term development over instant results.
Reiterating that there is no universal timetable in cricket, Kumble said players can break through at different moments and still go on to make a meaningful impact. He expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi’s performances will keep him firmly in the selectors’ sights.
A close watch on the India radar
Kumble’s final assessment was that Sooryavanshi’s next chapter could arrive in different ways—soon or after more seasoning. “For Vaibhav, it could be this year, next year, or maybe a couple of years later. But the way he is batting, he’s certainly someone the selectors will be watching closely,” he added.
As the IPL continues to shape careers and push young talent toward higher honours, the debate around Sooryavanshi’s India debut remains open—while Kumble’s stance is clear: let the performances lead, and let the youngster’s progress unfold at the right pace.
