Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned the Indian team management’s handling of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting that the youngster’s difficult introduction to international cricket could have been avoided with better planning.
Sooryavanshi, who rose to prominence after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, earned his maiden India call-up for the white-ball series against Ireland and England. Expectations were high after the 15-year-old finished the IPL as the Orange Cap winner, but despite being included in the squad, he did not feature in the Ireland series. Instead, the management preferred the experienced opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
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It was only after Samson endured three disappointing innings that the selectors handed Sooryavanshi his international debut during the England series. However, the teenager struggled to adapt to English conditions and failed to make a significant impact in his first three matches. He was subsequently left out of the fifth and final T20I, bringing an abrupt halt to his first stint in international cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said the team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer, could have introduced the youngster in less demanding conditions.
According to Kaif, the Ireland series would have been the ideal platform for Sooryavanshi to gain confidence before taking on a stronger England side in unfamiliar conditions.
Calling the teenager an “X-factor” cricketer, Kaif praised the consistency he displayed throughout the IPL season. He noted that Sooryavanshi wasn’t a one-match wonder but had delivered match-winning performances consistently enough to finish as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
Kaif argued that if the youngster had debuted in Ireland, he would have entered the England series with greater confidence and less pressure.
He further stated that special talents deserve special handling. In his opinion, Sooryavanshi should not have spent the Ireland series on the sidelines carrying drinks when he had already proven his ability at the highest level of franchise cricket.
Kaif also pointed out that dropping the teenager after just three innings in England sent the wrong message. He acknowledged that batting against quality pace attacks, including bowlers like Jofra Archer, was always going to be a significant challenge for someone making his international debut at just 15 years of age.
Despite his struggles in England, Kaif remains convinced that Sooryavanshi has a bright future. He believes the left-handed batter will score heavily once he gets opportunities in Indian conditions, where he is likely to feel more comfortable.
To support his argument, Kaif highlighted Sooryavanshi’s performances during the subsequent Zimbabwe series. The youngster bounced back in impressive fashion, scoring 151 runs in three T20Is, including a highest score of 81. His consistent performances earned him the Player of the Series award, reinforcing Kaif’s belief that the teenager possesses exceptional talent.
For Kaif, those performances were proof that Sooryavanshi’s difficult start was more a result of circumstances than ability. He concluded that India’s rising star remains a rare talent whose international journey could have been managed with greater patience and confidence from the team management.
