IPL 2026: ‘I don’t care if he’s 14 or 16’ - Former Indian coach pushes for immediate India debut for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Ravi Shastri has strongly backed teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for an immediate India call-up, saying the youngster should debut without unnecessary delay. The left-handed batter has emerged as one of the most explosive talents in white-ball cricket over the past two years.

His fearless strokeplay and ability to dominate top-quality bowling attacks have been highlighted by two IPL centuries against elite opposition. While some experts believe Sooryavanshi should spend more time proving himself before being considered for the national side, Shastri disagrees emphatically. 

“A lot of people will ask, is he 15, is he 16, is he 14? I don't care. I just see the way he is batting at the moment and the way he's taking on all comers twice his age or maybe two and a half times his age. It doesn't matter to him," Shastri told host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“So I think he's very, very much in the reckoning. And when you have tours of Ireland [in June for 2 T20Is] and all this happening now, I would be looking into him straight away. I can tell you that, for sure, because if you want to encourage or get someone young and into the setup as quickly as possible, then it's the T20 format of the game, and he is not short by any margin. This guy can walk into a lot of sides in world cricket at this current moment in time. Just when you look at the exuberance of youth, that youth shows on his face,” he added.

Sooryavanshi has recently been named in the India A squad for the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka, featuring the hosts and Afghanistan, scheduled from June 9 to 21. Later in the month, India will tour Ireland for two T20Is before heading to England for a white-ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs.

The teenage left-hander has enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 440 runs in 11 matches at an average of 40 and a staggering strike rate of 236.56. His season has included a breathtaking 103 off just 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has also smashed 40 sixes this season, the most by any batter in the tournament so far.

Suryavanshi will next be seen in action tonight when his side takes on Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.