India set to hand T20 debut to 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to make his international cricket debut for India against Ireland in Belfast on Friday at the age of just 15 years and 91 days.
He will surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest player to represent his country at the highest level.
Tendulkar was 16 years and 205 days old when he played his first one-day international against Pakistan in 1989.
Due to strict safeguarding regulations, the teenage prodigy will be required to use a separate changing room from his senior team-mates.
Record-breaking domestic form
The left-handed opener earned this unprecedented call-up following an astonishing Indian Premier League campaign.
Representing the Rajasthan Royals, he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 776 runs across 16 innings.
His staggering strike-rate of 237.30 caught the attention of selectors and pundits worldwide.
Just days ago, the youngster shattered the record for the fastest half-century in List A cricket history by reaching the milestone off exactly 11 balls for India A against Sri Lanka A.
Praise from cricketing legends
Former Australia international Justin Langer admitted the emerging talent is one of the few players he has ever asked for a photograph.
“Watching him bat is mind-blowing.”
“What makes him so special? He’s got extraordinary hands. I always say the really great players, their hands are like a hose in a swimming pool.”
The Lucknow Super Giants coach praised the batter’s unique ability to hit powerful sixes over cover, rather than relying on the traditional leg-side slogs favoured by many left-handers.
“This kid not only has the game and the curiosity and hand-eye coordination, but also the hunger to score more and more runs. He is also so humble.”
Fearless approach under Dravid
Rahul Dravid handed the starlet his IPL debut at the age of 14 while coaching Rajasthan in 2025.
The former Indian captain believes his young protégé possesses an incredibly rare blend of athletic skills.
“You’re looking at a really unique talent. I think it’s an incredible combination of ability to pick up a bowler’s speed and then cricket smarts, fearlessness.”
Dravid noted that there is no set recipe for such extraordinary natural ability, highlighting his sheer volume of ball-striking as a key factor in his rapid development.
