Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Potential India Debut Sparks Debate Over Age and Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old left-handed opener, has become a focal point in discussions about his potential inclusion in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Ireland. His standout performances in the IPL 2026 season have fueled speculation that he could make his India debut, potentially becoming the youngest player to represent the national team. At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already drawn comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16, and Shafali Verma, the youngest female cricketer to play for India. If selected, Sooryavanshi would surpass Verma’s record of 15 years, seven months, and 27 days, cementing his place in cricket history. The IPL 2026 season has been a turning point for the teenager, with his aggressive batting style and ability to dismantle top-order bowlers catching the attention of cricketing authorities. Notable innings include a 78-run blitz against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 26 balls, a 52-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings, and a 39-run contribution in 14 balls against Mumbai Indians. His ability to score heavily against elite bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood has further bolstered his case. These performances have not gone unnoticed, with IPL chairman Arun Dhumal publicly endorsing Sooryavanshi’s talent. Dhumal praised his “amazing batting display” and argued that the youngster “deserves to debut for Team India as the youngest given his performances.” Support for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion has also come from former India players. Mohammad Kaif, a former India opener, initially expressed skepticism about fast-tracking young talent but later acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s readiness.#sachin_tendulkar #ipl_2026 #shafali_verma #vaibhav_sooryavanshi #arun_dhumal
Younger Than Sachin Tendulkar: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Set To Make Historic India Debut Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old prodigy, is on the verge of making history by becoming India’s youngest senior cricket debutant, surpassing the records of legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Verma. Reports indicate that the teenager has been shortlisted for India’s upcoming tour of Ireland, marking a significant milestone in his career. This potential call-up would not only cement his place in cricket history but also highlight the growing emphasis on nurturing young talent in Indian cricket. Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the squad for the Ireland series, as well as the subsequent Zimbabwe tour later in 2026, underscores his rapid rise in the sport. The 15-year-old’s meteoric rise has been fueled by his exceptional performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he has already made a name for himself. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi has delivered standout innings, including a 26-ball 78 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a 17-ball 52 against the Chennai Super Kings, and a 14-ball 39 against the Mumbai Indians. These performances have drawn praise from former cricketers and experts, who have argued that his talent warrants a place in the national team. His ability to score quickly and adapt to different bowling attacks has been a key factor in his success, setting him apart from his peers. The IPL chairman, Arun Dhumal, has publicly endorsed Sooryavanshi’s potential, stating that the teenager deserves the record of becoming India’s youngest debutant. Dhumal’s comments on social media highlighted the rarity of such a talent and emphasized the importance of recognizing his achievements. “What an amazing batting display by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi this IPL 2026 season.#sachin_tendulkar #ipl_2026 #rajasthan_royals #shafali_verma #vaibhav_sooryavanshi
Smriti Mandhana holds second spot, Deepti climbs to third spot in ICC rankings India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana retained her second position in the ICC T20I batters’ rankings, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma moved up to third in the all-rounders’ chart. Mandhana, the highest-ranked Indian batter, maintained her 770 rating, just behind Australia’s Beth Mooney. Sharma’s rise followed a drop in Australia’s Ash Gardner’s position to fourth. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also climbed to 14th, while Shafali Verma stayed at sixth in the batters’ list. Australian opener Georgia Voll made her debut in the top 10 of the women’s T20I batters’ rankings after scoring her first T20I century against West Indies. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine advanced two places to 18th following strong performances against South Africa. Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde, the youngest player to score a T20I century, debuted at 66th after her historic innings against Ghana. South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen jumped to 55th, joining Utagushimaninde in making notable strides. In the all-rounders’ rankings, Australia’s Ellyse Perry climbed two spots to 20th, while West Indies’ Qiana Joseph surged 14 places to 33rd. Stafanie Taylor of the Windies also improved to 48th. In bowling, South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba entered the top 10, moving from 11th to ninth after taking five wickets in three matches. Australia’s Georgia Wareham rose from 16th to 12th with three wickets in two games. New Zealand’s Jess Kerr reached a career-high 15th spot after taking eight wickets in the first four matches against South Africa, including a crucial three for 16 in Wellington. Ayabonga Khaka climbed to 36th, and Kim Garth moved up to 44th.#smriti_mandhana #harmanpreet_kaur #deepti_sharma #beth_mooney #shafali_verma
