Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has strongly backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for an India call-up, saying the youngster is ready for international cricket after his sensational IPL 2026 campaign.
The 15-year-old opener has emerged as one of the biggest stars of the season, scoring 440 runs at a stunning strike rate of 236.55. His fearless approach against some of the world’s best bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood, has caught the attention of fans and experts alike.
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Shastri, who witnessed the rise of legends like Sachin Tendulkar during his playing days, believes Sooryavanshi has the temperament and talent to succeed at the highest level. Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri said the teenager should immediately be considered for India’s upcoming T20I tour of Ireland.
“The door is already three-fourths open for him,” Shastri said. “If you want to bring young players into the setup quickly, T20 cricket is the ideal format. This boy can walk into many sides in world cricket right now.”
The former India coach also dismissed concerns regarding the batter’s age, saying performances matter more than numbers on paper. “People can debate whether he is 14, 15 or 16. I don’t care. I only see the way he bats and the confidence he shows against bowlers twice his age,” he added.
Reports suggest the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel is closely monitoring Sooryavanshi, who has already been picked for the upcoming India A tri-series. If selected for the Ireland series in Belfast later this month, he could become India’s youngest international debutant at just 15 years and 91 days.
