Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history by making his international debut in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday (July 4).
At just 15 years and 99 days, the left-hander broke Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record as the youngest Indian to debut in men’s international cricket.
In his brief stay at the crease, Sooryavanshi showed glimpses of his explosive talent as he hit two sixes before being stumped for 14 runs off 10 balls. He followed it up with a 5 13 ball knock in the third T20I at Trent Bridge.
While Sooryavanshi has failed to set the international stage on fire so far, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has backed the young prodigy to be given a longer rope, emphasizing that playing a debut series in English conditions against the likes of Jofra Archer is never easy.
“The way Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has shown his potential, if I were the captain or the coach, I would be willing to back him even if he failed in 10 matches. Yes, I am talking about giving him 10 games. Of course, Indian cricket usually doesn’t have that kind of patience. People don’t expect that much, but I would be willing to give him those opportunities because of the potential he has shown. I understand that he hasn’t had the best start. For any young player, making his debut in India is never easy. He didn’t get a chance in Ireland, and then he made his debut in England, where facing players like Jofra Archer and others in those conditions is never easy.” Kaif said on her YouTube channel.
“He is only 15 years old, he is an immensely talented batsman with tremendous potential. It was never going to be easy for him to make his debut under those circumstances. Yes, we all say he is ready, and I believe he is. But even then, he will need some time. It will take him a little time to adapt to the conditions, adapt to the level and learn to read different match situations. But the talent is extraordinary. That is why the team should not rush to judge him. He keeps playing “All it takes is one innings where he gets on march, and the races will come in a big way. “He’s the kind of player who can score 60 off 20 balls or 70 or 80 off 25 balls.” he added.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become the toast of the nation for his record-breaking exploits this year. The teenage sensation won the Player of the Tournament award earlier in the year, helping India to their record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title.
Sooryavanshi carried his impressive form into IPL 2026. Playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), he won the Orange Cap and was named Most Valuable Player for scoring 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, including one hundred and five half-centuries and a record 72 sixes in an IPL season.
Before heading to the UK with the T20I team, Sooryavanshi represented India A in a tri-national A series in Sri Lanka. He recorded modest scores of 14, 44, 21 and 38 during the round-robin phase, but lit up the final with a knock of 94 balls for 29 against Sri Lanka A, including a record fifty for 11 balls, paving the way for India A to clinch the title with a 66-run victory.
The Bihar lad warmed the bench for the first three matches of the UK tour, with the Indian team management sticking with the T20 World Cup-winning opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. However, Samson’s series of low scores paved the way for Sooryavanshi’s selection in the Manchester T20I against England.