Former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has urged current chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to fast-track 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the national team. Srikkanth has described the young talent as a "demigod in the making," comparing his potential and early rise to that of Sachin Tendulkar.Sooryavanshi has captivated observers during IPL 2026, particularly for hitting elite bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood for sixes with ease.He noted, "If I were chairman, I would definitely have him in the 16".
Srikkanth explicitly stated that Sooryavanshi should be included in the next series squad, even if he doesn't play in the starting XI immediately, to help him understand the international environment.As of April 2026, the youngster has scored 246 runs in six matches for the Rajasthan Royals at a staggering strike rate of 236.53.Srikkanth, who captained a 16-year-old Tendulkar on his 1989 debut, sees similar "prodigy" traits in Sooryavanshi. Reports indicate that the BCCI has already added Sooryavanshi to a list of 35 probables for upcoming T20I assignments.Beyond Srikkanth, other figures like Piyush Chawla and Ambati Rayudu have supported the idea of an early debut to foster his growth.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL statistics
As of April 22, 2026, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the most explosive openers in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals. After a record-breaking debut in 2025, he has continued his dominant form in the ongoing 2026 season. In the first six matches of the 2026 season, Sooryavanshi has already established himself as a top contender for the Orange Cap by making 246 runs in 6 innings. Sooryavanshi made history in 2025 as the youngest debutant and centurion in IPL history.In the 2026 season, he famously hit Jasprit Bumrah for two sixes in a single over.
Beyond the IPL, his performances in age-group international cricket have been equally staggering. His 58-ball century against the Australia Under-19 team in late 2024 served as a warning to the cricketing world that he was ready for a higher tier of competition.In January 2026, he was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional achievements in sports.
