Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: How Long Can India Ignore 15-year-old Wonderkid - And Could He Be Unleashed Against England?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wrote his name into the history books by becoming the youngest‑ever IPL centurion – just nine days after his record‑breaking debut as a 14‑year‑old in 2025.

Now 15, India’s latest cricketing prodigy has continued his remarkable trajectory, fuelling calls for him to be unleashed on the international stage.

Sooryavanshi lit up his debut IPL season with a 35‑ball hundred as a 14‑year‑old, and he has proven to be anything but a flash in the pan in the 2026 edition, showcasing a staggering ability to thrive on the biggest stages with the Rajasthan Royals.

He has already registered two 15‑ball fifties – against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru – and is the third‑highest run‑scorer in the tournament, with 200 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 263.15.

A golden duck in Monday’s defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad proved Sooryavanshi was human, but with ball‑striking power, physical presence and crease composure far beyond his age, he has seasoned professionals watching in awe.

‘Cricket is not as easy as he’s playing’

“We just cannot believe how someone can hit like that. He is a great talent and we feel good that he is in our team,” said India and Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper‑batter Dhruv Jurel.

“When you go in, and Vaibhav is smashing every ball, you tend to think nothing is happening on the wicket. Cricket is not as easy as he’s playing.”

With would‑be international team‑mates like Jurel waxing lyrical about his ability, it begs one pertinent question.

How long can India ignore Sooryavanshi?

India have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to emerging talent, and with their T20 side newly-crowned World Cup winners, it remains to be seen whether selectors see fit to tinker with a winning formula.

But every now and then a player so special arrives that they simply cannot be ignored.

Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sooryavanshi appears to be cut from that cloth.

A sensational 175 fired India to a 100-run victory over England – and a record sixth title – in February’s U19 World Cup final in Harare, as he once again proved he cut it against the very best.

Sooryavanshi bow on British Isles?

A stacked summer of white‑ball fixtures presents ample opportunity for him to make his international bow.

If calls to hand the 15‑year‑old a debut in the upcoming multi‑format series against Afghanistan go unanswered, his breakthrough could come in the British Isles, with India facing Ireland and England across seven T20Is and three ODIs in June and July.

Whether it comes this summer or not, it seems only a matter of time before Sooryavanshi gets the call from India. The world of cricket has been put on notice.

India men cricket fixtures 2026

All times UK and Ireland 🕰️

Home to Afghanistan (multi-format) – June

One-off Test (Saturday June 6) – New Chandigarh (5am)
First ODI (Sunday June 14) – Dharamsala (9am)
Second ODI (Wednesday June 17) – Lucknow (9am)
Third ODI (Saturday June 20) – Chennai (9am)

Away to Ireland (white-ball cricket) – June

First T20I (Friday June 26) – Stormont, Belfast (10am)
Second T20I (Sunday June 28) – Stormont, Belfast (10am)

Away to England (white-ball cricket) – July

First T20I (Wednesday July 1) – Chester-le-Street, Durham (5.30pm)
Second T20I (Saturday July 4) – Old Trafford, Manchester (2.30pm)
Third T20I (Tuesday July 7) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (5.30pm)
Fourth T20I (Thursday July 9) – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (5.30pm)
Fifth T20I (Saturday July 11) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (2.30pm)
First ODI (Tuesday July 14) – Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Second ODI (Thursday July 16) – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (1pm)
Third ODI (Sunday July 19) – Lord’s, London (11am)

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