Virat Kohli camp lobbies hard for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s senior India call-up

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s performances for India in the U-19 World Cup have sparked discussion about his readiness for senior cricket. Rajkumar Sharma, who trained Virat Kohli in his early years, stated that the youngster could soon be considered for a higher-level opportunity.

India beat England in the U-19 World Cup 2026 final to win a record sixth title on Friday, February 6. Sooryavanshi delivered on the biggest stage of the tournament. The 14-year-old smashed 175 runs off 80 balls in the final, breaking several records. He has already shown this level of impact despite his young age.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Rewrites U19 World Cup Record Books

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored his maiden U19 World Cup century in the final. At 14 years and 316 days, he smashed a brilliant 175 to become the youngest batter to score a hundred in U19 World Cup history, surpassing Babar Azam, who achieved the feat at 15 years and 92 days.

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The young opener also hit 15 sixes in the innings, breaking his own Youth ODI record for most sixes in a match. He had previously smashed 14 sixes against UAE in 2025.

Sooryavanshi also recorded the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final, going past Unmukt Chand’s 111 from 2009. He became the first batter to score more than 150 runs in U19 World Cup knockout matches, beating Nicholas Pooran’s 142 from the 2014 edition.

These performances at such a young age have sparked fresh debate over whether Sooryavanshi is ready for a step up to senior cricket.

Jald Hi Unhe Mauka Diya Jayega - Rajkumar Sharma on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut

Speaking to IANS, Rajkumar Sharma shared his view on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s future in senior cricket. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach said the youngster is a special talent and deserves an opportunity at the senior level in the near future.

"Yeh abhi ek bada prashn hai, lekin haan woh ek special talent hai, aur mujhe lagta hai ki jald hi unhe mauka diya jayega. (This is still a big decision, but yes, he is a special talent, and I believe he should be given an opportunity soon.)"

Delhi: When asked if cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi is ready for the senior team, Cricket expert & Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma says, "This is still a big decision, but yes, he is a special talent, and I believe he should be given an opportunity… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->x<!---->M<!---->b<!---->1<!---->s<!---->M<!---->e<!---->N<!---->A<!---->0

— IANS (@ians_india) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->6

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Rapid Rise Through Record-Breaking Knocks

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi first grabbed national attention after securing a record IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals at the 2024 mega auction. He made an immediate impact by hitting the very first ball of his IPL career for a six.

The left-handed batter smashed a 35-ball century, the fastest by an Indian in IPL history. That knock also made him the youngest player ever to score a T20 hundred.

Earlier, in the Asia Cup Rising Stars, he blasted 144 runs off just 42 balls. He went on to create history in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy by scoring a 36-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh at 14 years and 272 days, becoming the youngest player to score a List A hundred.

In the same match, Sooryavanshi broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in 59 balls. He finished with a remarkable 190 off 84 deliveries, including 16 fours and 15 sixes.

Also read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi flips Indian team’s Punjabi music culture as Bhojpuri wave hits camp