“Age doesn’t matter” - KKR head coach backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India call-up amid IPL 2026

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit supported the inclusion of 15-year-old batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the India national cricket team. Pandit praised his fearless approach and said that current form and consistency should matter more than age in selection for India.

Sooryavanshi has been in outstanding form in the ongoing tournament with his powerful hitting. In his first six matches for Rajasthan Royals (RR), the young batter has consistently dominated strong bowling attacks, showing the temperament needed to perform under pressure in top-level white-ball cricket.

Former KKR Coach Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India Senior Team Call-Up

Speaking to RevSportz, Chandrakant Pandit expressed strong confidence in the potential of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The former Kolkata Knight Riders coach stated that age should not matter when a player is in great form and consistently delivering strong performances in competitive cricket.

“In my view, age isn’t the most important factor. What really matters is form –how well a batter or bowler is performing and how consistently they are delivering. I’m sure the selection committee is already thinking along these lines,” Pandit said.

“It’s not just about what we say from the outside; they have to plan both for the present and the future of Indian cricket. With a young talent like him, the key questions are when to give him opportunities, when to hold back, and against which teams he should be introduced,” he added.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Explosive Batting Performances in IPL 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi started his tournament campaign on a stunning note. He scored a half-century off just 15 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 15-year-old maintained his momentum with impactful knocks of 31 and 39 against Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the following matches.

He then produced a stunning performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), smashing 78 off just 26 deliveries. However, he followed it up with a duck against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in his most recent outing.

Despite that setback, Sooryavanshi has impressive overall numbers this season. In six matches, he has scored 254 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 263.15, including 26 boundaries and 20 sixes.

Chandrakant Pandit recalled first noticing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the previous Ranji Trophy season. The veteran coach stated that the young batter attacked the opposition bowlers from the very first ball in a domestic red-ball match against Bihar in Madhya Pradesh.

“I first noticed him during last season’s domestic Ranji Trophy matches. In one game against Bihar in Madhya Pradesh, the way he confidently attacked from the very first ball showed his mindset. Whether it’s red-ball or white-ball cricket, his ability is remarkable. He has the potential to single-handedly win matches once he gets going,” Pandit stated.

“Players like this are rare, and when they come along, everyone—from selectors to team-mates—takes notice. I believe the time is right to give him an opportunity. However, it’s equally important to give him enough space and time to settle in, because international cricket is a different challenge and can bring pressure, especially for a young player,” he concluded.

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