Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 run has been so eye-catching that it has only fuelled speculation about when—rather than if—the 15-year-old will earn a call-up to the senior India side. With the most runs, the most sixes and the highest strike rate in the season, the Rajasthan Royals youngster has become the subject of constant debate.
Yet former India players Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Manjrekar have questioned whether the current hype is moving faster than the evidence—particularly when it comes to his all-round impact in the field.
Quick facts
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 has drawn attention for leading the season in runs, sixes and strike rate.
- Manjrekar questioned Rajasthan Royals’ use of Sooryavanshi as an Impact Player in most recent matches.
- Manjrekar said a fair evaluation requires watching him bat, field and handle pressure.
- Kaif pointed to a misfield by Sooryavanshi in the match against Delhi Capitals last week.
- Kaif added that he has not taken a catch this season and urged sharper fielding for India selection.
- Zubin Bharucha, a former Rajasthan Royals director of cricket operations, defended Sooryavanshi’s work ethic and long-term potential.
- Bharucha said Sooryavanshi’s fielding is already mature for his age and that continued fitness gains will help him improve.
Manjrekar questions the Impact Player label
Sanjay Manjrekar focused on Rajasthan Royals’ strategy, arguing that playing Sooryavanshi primarily as an Impact Player limits the sample size for a complete assessment. He suggested that if the teenager is to be judged as an international-ready prospect, viewers should see him contribute across the full set of match demands—not just with the bat.
Manjrekar’s central point was simple: batting quality matters, but so does fielding. He added that the selection conversation should also account for how a player performs when situations get tense, and he specifically said he would want to see whether any weaknesses in the field are exposed under pressure.
Kaif flags fielding lapses after Delhi Capitals game
Mohammad Kaif, meanwhile, turned to a recent incident from the Delhi Capitals match, highlighting that Sooryavanshi made a fielding error. Kaif’s message was that persistent lapses make it difficult to justify the level of expectation being placed on a youngster.
In his post, Kaif also referenced another moment from the IPL—Yash Raj dropping KL when the batter was on zero—before underlining that Sooryavanshi, too, had misfielded. He then stressed that the youngster has not taken a catch in the tournament so far, and argued that fielding sharpness is something he must improve if he wants to represent India.
Kaif also put the responsibility in context, saying coaches must teach proper fielding skills, while youngsters should take pride in enjoying that part of the game.
Zubin Bharucha pushes back on the criticism
Former Rajasthan Royals director of cricket operations Zubin Bharucha responded strongly to the backlash. Speaking on the criticism, he defended Sooryavanshi as a player with the right foundation, pointing to attributes beyond brute batting output.
Bharucha said Sooryavanshi has rare qualities including solid batting, dependable fielding, an ability to read the game, and a strong team spirit. He argued that the teenager’s fielding already looks mature for his age, with safe hands and effective movement in the field.
While acknowledging that development is still ongoing, Bharucha added that Sooryavanshi has everything needed to keep improving. As physical strength and overall fitness rise, he expects the youngster to become quicker, more agile and more nimble—traits that can translate directly into better catching and more efficient coverage.
Bharucha also insisted that fielding is not a one-time box to tick in modern cricket. He said Sooryavanshi is consistently willing to work hard, eager to learn, and focused on improving every aspect of his game.
