Commentator Ian Bishop believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for senior India honours. He has suggested that a second-string India squad for the coming white-ball assignments should include the teenager, alongside in-form IPL batters such as Prabhsimran Singh and Shubman Gill.
Bishop stressed the need for balance and said he wants a left-right pairing among his three chosen openers, with Sooryavanshi as the left-hander. He said he felt the young batter was ready to take another step.
A breakthrough IPL season
Sooryavanshi has already made an impact in the IPL with fearless strokeplay against high-class bowlers. The left-handed opener hit sixes off the first balls he faced from both Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood.
The 15-year-old has scored 404 runs this season at a strike rate of 237.64, the highest among batters with more than 300 runs. He remains in the race for the Orange Cap in his first full IPL campaign.
Youngest India player?
Reports suggest he could be picked for a two-match T20I series in Ireland that comes before India’s white-ball tour of England. If chosen, he would become the youngest male cricketer to play for India, beating a long-standing mark held by Sachin Tendulkar.
For now he continues to feature prominently for Rajasthan Royals, who are fourth in the standings under Riyan Parag as they chase a second IPL title.
