Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the talk of the IPL after a blistering 97 off just 29 balls in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the moments before that high-stakes match, the 15-year-old followed a familiar tradition from his home—seeking blessings from Sunil Gavaskar by touching his feet during the pre-game presentation in Mullanpur. The gesture, rooted in Indian culture, has become a habit for Sooryavanshi, and Gavaskar—despite not having much time for a detailed conversation—still made sure to pass along a message to the youngster.
Key takeaways
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck 97 off 29 deliveries for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL Eliminator versus Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Before the match in Mullanpur, the 15-year-old touched Sunil Gavaskar’s feet as part of his pre-game practice.
- Gavaskar said his message to Sooryavanshi was “lage raho bete, lage raho”.
- The former India captain backed an early T20I debut, arguing age should not be a barrier.
- Gavaskar suggested that, if the selectors include Sooryavanshi in the XI, either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson would likely have to miss out.
Gavaskar’s message after the pre-match respect gesture
Gavaskar explained that when Sooryavanshi arrived for the on-ground show and touched his feet, he told him the same thing he had already said to him the previous day. The legendary batter’s instruction was a simple encouragement—“keep going, keep going”—and he added that he would say the same words if he were in the middle batting at the other end alongside the teenager.
While Sooryavanshi was not available for a long chat, Gavaskar noted that the message was delivered clearly in the brief interaction. The emphasis, he said, was on continuing to play with the same confidence and momentum that had brought Sooryavanshi into the spotlight so quickly.
Why Gavaskar wants a quicker T20I opportunity
Gavaskar has also publicly backed Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise, positioning himself as a fan of the youngster’s approach. Even though opinions differ on whether the teenager should be rushed into the national setup, Gavaskar believes the best course is to give him the debut cap sooner rather than later—especially after the kind of impact he has already made in the IPL.
In his comments on a Sports Tak YouTube show, Gavaskar claimed that 2026 could come to be remembered as “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Year”. He stated that the youngster is ready for T20 International cricket and argued that selection should follow performances rather than wait for some other timing. Gavaskar also indicated that for the England away T20 series, Sooryavanshi should be considered, stressing that the talent on display after such a brilliant showing makes the case hard to ignore.
Crucially, Gavaskar dismissed age as a decisive factor. He pointed out that at 15, Sooryavanshi is already taking on bowlers who are older, and in his words, even facing players who carry lengthy international experience. The former India skipper praised the fearless nature of Sooryavanshi’s batting—suggesting that such maturity in approach matters more than the number on his age card.
The selection debate: who could make way?
Despite the strong backing, Gavaskar also acknowledged the reality of team balance. If the selectors decide to accommodate Sooryavanshi directly into the playing XI, they would have to make choices elsewhere—meaning either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson would likely have to be left out to fit the youngster into the squad’s combination.
