Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, arguing that the teenage left-handed batter has outgrown the “promising youngster” label and is ready to be pushed into India’s T20 plans. The former India head coach pointed to an eye-catching IPL run with the Rajasthan Royals and suggested selectors could look to an upcoming white-ball trip to Ireland as the right stage to fast-track the teenager into senior international cricket.
Key takeaways
- Ravi Shastri believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already prepared for the international stage and should be considered for India’s T20 setup.
- In the IPL, Sooryavanshi has scored 440 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 236.56.
- The left-handed opener has hit 40 sixes, the highest tally of the season.
- His breakthrough included a 36-ball century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, plus two other half-centuries.
- Shastri suggested India’s Ireland tour could be used as a platform for a potential senior debut.
- Sooryavanshi has also earned a maiden India A call-up and is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in June for a tri-series.
Shastri’s push to fast-track Sooryavanshi for T20 cricket
Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, said the youngster’s fearless brand of batting against seasoned opponents is hard to ignore. He framed the T20 format as the quickest pathway to bring young talent into the national fold, stressing that Sooryavanshi’s current impact makes him a realistic option for multiple sides at the highest level.
He dismissed the need for extended debate about Sooryavanshi’s age, arguing that the way the batter is performing—especially while taking on bowlers who are older and more experienced—shows maturity beyond his years. In Shastri’s view, the youngster is firmly “in the reckoning” and should be watched closely as India schedules more white-ball action.
Ireland tour, India A call-up, and the next assignment in Sri Lanka
Shastri highlighted India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland as a potential opportunity to introduce Sooryavanshi to senior international cricket. If he is selected, he would become the youngest player to debut for India, a milestone that has only added fuel to the rising conversation around his future.
The endorsement arrives at a time when Sooryavanshi’s momentum has been accelerating. He earned his maiden India A call-up earlier this week, just a day after Shastri publicly backed him for national honours. That sequence has intensified speculation that selectors could be ready to consider him for bigger roles sooner than most players would typically get such a chance.
Sooryavanshi is now set to tour Sri Lanka in June with India A for a tri-series that also includes Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. Strong performances there could further strengthen the case for a senior India debut, particularly as selection trends continue to favour aggressive batting options in the shortest format.
Earlier this year, Sooryavanshi also played a major part as India went on to win the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup. With that success followed by the explosive IPL campaign and rapid advancement into India’s pathway setup, his rise is drawing comparisons with some of the fastest-moving talents to emerge in recent times.
