Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise has taken on a near-unbelievable pace, with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan suggesting the time for an India call-up is now. The Rajasthan Royals youngster has continued to pile up momentum in IPL 2026, and Pathan believes his fearless approach—especially against Jasprit Bumrah—makes the case for the BCCI to act decisively.
Key takeaways
- Pathan urged the BCCI and its chief selector to take a “leap of faith” with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
- Sooryavanshi struck 52 vs Chennai Super Kings and 31 vs Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.
- In the latest game, he hit 39 off just 14 balls, continuing his rapid run-scoring form.
- Pathan said Sooryavanshi’s batting forced Jasprit Bumrah to adjust, showing the youngster’s impact even against elite pace.
- He argued that India’s packed T20 schedule provides the ideal window to test and transition the youngster.
- Pathan believes Sooryavanshi can enjoy a long international career if he receives the India cap without delay.
From prodigy to “destiny’s child”
Pathan framed Sooryavanshi’s trajectory as something extraordinary, arguing that the youngster’s white-ball output at only 15 is unlike anything he has seen before. He pointed to an impressive checklist of achievements—racing to the quickest IPL century by an Indian, then producing major hundreds across international conditions in England, Australia, and South Africa, and finishing the year by winning the Under-19 World Cup.
In Pathan’s view, the numbers alone are not the whole story. He highlighted the way Sooryavanshi has approached top-class bowling with clarity and intent, describing him as a batter who targets specific matchups rather than getting drawn into uncertainty. That mindset, Pathan said, is exactly what has made the calls for an India role grow louder after every innings.
Impact against Bumrah: “hit him” on the first ball
Sooryavanshi’s most eye-catching moments have come when he meets the sport’s toughest pace tests. Pathan focused on the youngster’s duel with Jasprit Bumrah, saying Sooryavanshi appeared to come in with a plan that was built around confronting the India spearhead directly.
“Sooryavanshi is a destiny’s child,” Pathan said. He recalled that as a young batter, Sooryavanshi had already talked about waiting for Bumrah, getting out to him previously and then promising that this time he would strike. Pathan’s point was that Sooryavanshi carried that confidence into the contest immediately, hitting Bumrah on the very first ball.
Pathan also explained why the shot-making mattered beyond the scoreboard. He noted that Bumrah, known for altering pace and length with precision, seemed to lose the usual sense of control. According to Pathan, Sooryavanshi’s willingness to swing decisively at the right times forced even a bowler of Bumrah’s calibre to think harder—particularly after Bumrah tried to shift to slower options.
“In white-ball cricket, India has not found a bowler like Bumrah. He is a GOAT,” Pathan said. Yet he added that Sooryavanshi’s performance against him demonstrated how special the youngster’s timing and judgement have become. In Pathan’s telling, Sooryavanshi does not overcomplicate the delivery—if the ball is there to be hit, he commits.
Two quick sixes swing the duel
Pathan stressed that Sooryavanshi showed no nerves when Bumrah was in front of him. He said it took only one ball for the batter to announce himself, with a six off Bumrah after the delivery came into the slot. Then, just two balls later, Sooryavanshi pulled Bumrah cleanly for his second six, pushing the contest into a different gear and leaving the world’s best fast bowlers looking uncertain.
Pathan noted that Bumrah began to laugh during the exchange, and even though he bowled only three more deliveries, the outcome of the duel was clear. For Pathan, that sequence captured the youngster’s courage and fearlessness—qualities he believes can translate quickly to international cricket.
No more waiting: test him in India colours
With Sooryavanshi continuing to look unstoppable for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, Pathan said the BCCI should not delay the next step. He argued that Ajit Agarkar should move quickly to give the teenager the India cap, insisting that the sooner the transition begins, the better it will be for the team.
Pathan pointed to India’s schedule, suggesting there is no shortage of T20 international cricket opportunities. In his view, that makes the format the perfect platform to introduce the youngster gradually—testing him while also easing him into the demands of international cricket.
“Don’t make this boy wait too long. Give him the Indian team cap,” Pathan added. He also painted an exciting long-term picture, saying Sooryavanshi could potentially play 20 years of professional cricket—an idea Pathan said is “scary for bowlers.”
