A wave of excitement around teenage India prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is now spilling well beyond domestic cricket, pushing broadcasters to revisit their programming plans. His call-up to the India A group has generated fresh attention, and Sri Lanka’s upcoming tri-series—featuring India, Afghanistan and the hosts—has reportedly moved to the top of the television agenda.
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is driving extra attention
India A will be captained by Tilak Varma, but it is the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi who has become the headline attraction. The youngster recently made headlines in the IPL, finishing the competition with a remarkable 776 runs while chasing the Orange Cap, a run that has helped raise the profile of the tri-series and encouraged officials to put it under a brighter spotlight.
Tournament window and broadcast details
The tri-series is set to run from June 9 to June 21. Sony Sports and Sony LIV will carry the coverage, with Sony Sports Network holding broadcast rights for cricket staged in Sri Lanka. The network’s officials have indicated that the event will be streamed live with comprehensive production and full-scale coverage.
For a period, Sony appeared to be missing out on regular cricket viewing on television, as major tournaments such as the World Cup and the IPL were being hosted on the rival Jio Hotstar platform. The network is now aiming to make the most of the Sooryavanshi buzz that has gathered momentum across cricket audiences worldwide.
Sony also controls the rights for the India–Sri Lanka bilateral schedule. As previously outlined in reporting dated May 18, the India–Sri Lanka Test series is expected to take place in the second half of August.
Between these commitments, Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 competition, the Lanka Premier League (LPL), is understood to be set for Jio Hotstar coverage.
- Tri-series featuring India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
- Venue: Dambulla
- Format: one-day tri-series
- Dates: June 9 to June 21
- Broadcast: Sony Sports and Sony LIV
In a social media post, Sony Network teased the event with the line: “The Sooryavanshi Express is coming to light up the stage in a high-octane Tri-series.”
What about the T20Is after the Tests?
While the tri-series plans are now clearer, there remains uncertainty over an additional set of matches—specifically three T20Is that are expected to be added alongside the two-Test series. Even so, people familiar with internal discussions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) believe approval for the three-match T20I leg looks promising, though no official confirmation has been issued yet.
In another recent update from India’s side, the BCCI announced that Ruturaj Gaikwad will step in as vice-captain, replacing Riyan Parag, who is currently recovering from an injury.
