NEW DELHI: The talk around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has turned into full-blown IPL 2026 hype, with former India captain Kris Srikkanth urging selectors to move quickly and bring the 15-year-old into the national mix. Even rival skipper Shreyas Iyer has joined the chorus, calling the teenager “one for the future.”
Quick facts
- Kris Srikkanth wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fast-tracked into India’s setup.
- Shreyas Iyer also praised Sooryavanshi’s technique and temperament.
- Srikkanth referenced Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting versus top bowlers this season.
- Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 236.53.
- Rajasthan Royals take on Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday, with Sooryavanshi in focus.
Srikkanth, never one to soften his message, pushed for immediate action rather than a slow, step-by-step progression. Speaking to chief selector Ajit Agarkar, he made it clear he believes the youngster is already ready for the biggest stage.
“Imagine someone playing shots like that,” Srikkanth said, before adding that Sooryavanshi should be accelerated into the next phase. His view was simple: the next series, according to Srikkanth, should be the moment the teenager gets a chance.
“No need to wait”
The former chief selector also rejected the common argument of giving young players time to build consistency. Instead, he insisted the batter can change matches immediately—stressing that there is no requirement to delay his rise.
He highlighted the confidence Sooryavanshi shows against elite pace threats, pointing to the way the teenager has attacked Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood without appearing to hesitate. In Srikkanth’s telling, the key is the fearless start—hitting a six off the first ball against a world-class operator like Bumrah—because it reflects a mindset built for pressure.
“He’s not bothered about who the bowler is,” Srikkanth added, describing the 15-year-old as a “prodigy” who can win games quickly.
Sachin comparison lifts the stakes
To underline how big this moment could become, Srikkanth drew a parallel with Sachin Tendulkar’s early arrival on the international scene. He recalled that when he became captain in 1989, there was a 16-year-old Tendulkar who looked like a once-in-a-generation talent.
From that foundation, Srikkanth argued, Tendulkar went on to become the “God of Cricket,” and he believes Sooryavanshi could follow a similar trajectory—potentially evolving into another “demigod” of the sport.
The praise doesn’t stop with former players. Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer praised Sooryavanshi’s batting structure, pointing to the bat flow, rhythm, and momentum that make his innings look effortless at the highest level.
Iyer’s assessment was blunt and forward-looking: the teenager is a spectacular talent and, in his words, “one for the future.”
Sooryavanshi has backed the hype with production as well. He has piled up 246 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 236.53 in the current campaign, turning the spotlight into something more than just talk.
For now, all eyes will remain on the next test of that momentum, with Rajasthan Royals set to play Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. The teenager sits at the centre of what has become one of IPL 2026’s most compelling debates about the next wave of Indian cricket talent.
