Table of Contents
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made the first headlines in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, and this season, it was all about him and his ruthless hitting against the quality bowlers in the toughest T20 league in the world. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India National Cricket Team for the UK tour and also the Asian Games 2026.
Shreyas Iyer has been named as the new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, and apart from Shreyas, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been fast-tracked to the senior team for the upcoming three tours for the Men in Blue side. The Southpaw had a phenomenal IPL 2026, where he finished as the highest run scorer and won the Orange Cap and also won the MVP as well.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to impress
After the stellar IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was included in the India A squad and then in the senior team as well, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned that Vaibhav picked himself for the senior team after the mind-boggling season with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and also in the U-19 cricket as well.
As the Southpaw plays his India A game, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has shared his views on the 15-year-old’s selection to the senior side. While speaking exclusively on RevSportz, Clarke said, “Certainly not in T20 cricket! Look, I think he’s had a phenomenal IPL season.”
He has been exceptional- Michael Clarke on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rise
“Amazing. Great for the game. I think every single young boy and young girl wants role models to look up to. India has been very lucky; they’ve had a number of them over the years, and now we’ve got a new one to look out for.” “The last two years, he has been exceptional in the IPL, but this season, I haven’t seen anything like it.”
While speaking on Vaibhav’s sheer ability to strike against the world’s premier fast bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, and many other bowlers out of the park made him different. He said, “Just the power game, to be able to hit balls for six from all different lengths and all the best bowlers! I think he’s definitely skillful enough, and I think in time you’ll see him play all three formats for India.”
Let him [Vaibhav Sooryavanshi] play first-class cricket- Michael Clarke
Clarke also stressed the need to carefully handle the teenager's growth, particularly as he heads on his first senior tour to Ireland and England later this month. “The more he can even go on tour and train in different conditions and experience different countries, I think the better,” Clarke explained.
“It’s that balance of trying to let him play first-class cricket when he can, let his game develop, work extra hard on his fitness, work extra hard on the skills of the game as well. Remember, it’s bat, bowl, field it’s not just open the batting and smack it.”
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has impressed the former cricketers and also the current cricketers with the maturity and dominance he has shown in the shorter form of the game at the age of 15. “Test cricket is a different format. I’m sure he wants to go back and play some more first-class cricket, but he’s definitely got the temperament, the skill, to dominate all three formats,” said Clarke.
“I watch him play and I think he reads the game really well. Sounds like his love and passion is there to want to play for Indian cricket. He’ll need to be looked after, and there’s some really good senior players and obviously a coach that will play a big part in taking care of him. But no, he’s in good hands and, like I say, so is Indian cricket.”
