Virender Sehwag sees a clear connection between his own fearless batting and the approach of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging that the teenager be given as many chances as possible to develop at the international level. Sooryavanshi has already caught attention in T20 internationals, scoring 246 runs across eight matches at a strike rate of 186, a pace Sehwag says echoes his own mindset at the crease.
Speaking at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual session on Saturday, Sehwag said Sooryavanshi’s style reminded him of his own early days, where attacking from ball one was the plan. “Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his thinking is somewhat similar to mine, that of hitting right from the first ball,” Sehwag said. “Now, it is about when he gets the opportunity and how many matches he plays for India.”
Age has not been a barrier for Sooryavanshi’s entry into the senior squad, despite him being just 15. Sehwag dismissed concerns about the teenager’s youth, pointing out that performance should be the deciding factor once players reach the top level. “Look, if you are playing in an age-category, it makes sense — if it's Under-19, your age should be under 19. But once you play the IPL or play for India, age doesn't matter,” he said. “A 38-or 40-year-old (Virat) Kohli is playing, and a 15-year-old (Vaibhav) Sooryavanshi is also playing. Then, performance matters.”
Sooryavanshi has taken part in eight of India’s 18 T20 internationals since joining the senior squad. Competition for opening slots remains stiff, with experienced players like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma often preferred in recent matches. Former India all-rounder Robin Singh acknowledged the abundance of talent in the team, including Sooryavanshi, and emphasised the importance of patience and competition.
“Sooryavanshi has enough and more talent. So, you know, even if he has to sit on a bench and wait it out, it's okay. But the others have done very well,” Robin Singh told IANS. “It's good to have competition. It's good to have people beating down your neck so that you don't slip up with your performances.”
Sehwag also praised Shubman Gill for his recent batting exploits, including his second ODI double century. He highlighted India’s bowling strength as a factor that could determine their fortunes in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. “Among our fast bowlers, we have Bumrah, who is the best we have. If our bowling attack stays strong in the World Cup, then we can win it very easily,” Sehwag said.
The discussion around Sooryavanshi’s future remains focused on how many opportunities he will get to prove himself. With competition intense and experienced players holding their spots, the teenage batter’s path is challenging but Sehwag’s backing adds weight to calls for giving him a sustained run at the top level.
According to Yahoo Sports.
