Ravi Shastri Says Vaibhav Suryavanshi Should Be Picked for India Straight Away
Ravi Shastri says age is no barrier and wants teenage left-hander Vaibhav Suryavanshi in India’s T20 side, citing his IPL 2026 form and two IPL centuries.
By SportCricket Desk · 17 May 2026 · 2 min read
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the selectors to hand teenage batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi a senior India call-up immediately. Shastri believes the left-hander’s fearless approach and composure against high-class bowling show he is ready for international cricket.
Age is not the issue, says Shastri
Appearing on The ICC Review, Shastri argued that a player’s age should not decide selection. He pointed out that Suryavanshi regularly takes on bowlers who are far older and more experienced than he is. In Shastri’s view, T20 cricket would be the natural format for his international introduction, and he described the youngster as good enough to command a place in several leading teams around the world.
A fast-rising white-ball talent
Over the last two years Suryavanshi has become one of the most dynamic young batters in white-ball cricket, with his aggressive strokeplay against top attacks attracting plenty of attention. He has already made two IPL hundreds.
His IPL 2026 campaign has added to that reputation. He has made 440 runs in 11 matches at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 236.56. That total includes a 37-ball 103 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and his 40 sixes this season are the most by any batter so far.
His side were due to play Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium later that evening, giving him another chance to add to those numbers.
