15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made history by being named in India’s T20 cricket squad for upcoming tours, potentially breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record as the youngest player to debut for the national team.
MUMBAI, India — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old cricket prodigy, has been called up to the Indian T20 squad for the first time, ahead of tours to Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games. His selection marks a significant milestone in Indian cricket, as he is the youngest player to receive a call-up for the national team.
If Sooryavanshi takes the field against Ireland on June 26 in Belfast, he will surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who made his Test debut at the age of 16 against Pakistan in November 1989.
This season, Sooryavanshi has made headlines in the Indian Premier League (IPL), finishing as the highest run-scorer with an impressive total of 776 runs in just 16 innings. He achieved a remarkable strike rate of 237.31 and hit 72 sixes, showcasing his explosive batting style.
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, expressed confidence in Sooryavanshi’s abilities, stating, “He has forced us to pick him with how well he’s played. I know his age and how young he is, but we can see the kind of talent he has. We are hopeful that if he gets the opportunity to play for the country, he will show the same ability.”
Agarkar acknowledged the challenges that come with international cricket but emphasized Sooryavanshi’s impressive temperament. “He has shown tremendous temperament. He has picked himself through his performances – he single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals in the IPL playoffs. Like everyone else who’s watched him play, we have high hopes of him,” he added.
Sooryavanshi’s journey in cricket began early; he made his first-class debut at the age of 12. At 13, he became the youngest player to secure an IPL contract when Rajasthan Royals signed him for the 2025 season. In that season, he scored 252 runs in seven matches, including a remarkable 35-ball century, which is the second-fastest in IPL history.
His talent was further highlighted during the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in India’s victory. In the final against England, he scored 175 runs off just 80 balls, setting the record for the highest individual score in any ICC global tournament final.
The Indian squad for the upcoming tours will be led by Shreyas Iyer, who replaces Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Yadav’s removal follows a period of poor form in both IPL and international cricket.
Iyer has a proven track record, having led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024 and guiding Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. He is the only player to have led three different franchises to an IPL final.
India’s schedule includes two T20 matches in Ireland on June 26 and 28, followed by five matches in England next month. The squad for the Asian Games also features pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting India’s aspirations for gold ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The squads for the Ireland and England tours include: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
For the Asian Games, the squad remains largely the same, with the addition of Jasprit Bumrah.
This selection not only highlights Sooryavanshi’s exceptional talent but also marks a new chapter in Indian cricket, as fans eagerly await to see how this young wonderkid performs on the international stage, according to The Associated Press.