Mohammad Kaif urges Ajit Agarkar to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an ODI call-up aft – Mohammad Kaif Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India ODI Call-Up
A Star is Born: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The IPL 2026 season has witnessed the meteoric rise of a new phenomenon in Indian cricket: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, the teenage sensation has captured the imagination of the cricket world with a display of fearless hitting that defies his tender age. His performances throughout the tournament have not only secured him a place in the spotlight but have also ignited discussions about his potential immediate inclusion in the Indian national team.
A Record-Breaking Eliminator Performance
The intensity of the knockout stages seemed to bring out the best in the youngster. During the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh on May 27, Sooryavanshi produced a masterclass in power hitting. Facing a high-stakes environment, the left-hander dismantled the SRH bowling lineup, racing to 97 runs off just 29 deliveries. His innings was characterized by brutal efficiency, featuring 12 towering sixes and five boundaries.
This performance was not merely a singular highlight; it was a continuation of a record-breaking season. During this explosive knock, Sooryavanshi surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for the most sixes in a single season. While Gayle smashed 59 sixes in 2012, the Rajasthan Royals prodigy reached a staggering 65 sixes, further cementing his reputation as a generational talent.
The Call for International Recognition
Such dominance has led former India batter Mohammad Kaif to make a bold assessment regarding the teenager’s readiness for the international stage. Kaif, who previously maintained a conservative stance on fast-tracking young talent, has publicly admitted that Sooryavanshi’s performances have forced him to reconsider his perspective.
In a recent discussion, Kaif argued that Sooryavanshi is not just a T20 specialist but is fully equipped to handle the demands of the 50-over format. “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can play two formats right now. ODI and T20. He can play ODI as well. He will also hit a lot of sixes in the first 10 overs in ODIs. So, I am looking at ODI, where 5 fielders are always up. And it doesn’t matter if the fielder is up. He is hitting long sixes,” Kaif noted.
Changing the Old-School Narrative
Kaif elaborated on his shift in mindset, acknowledging that while he once believed in grooming players through time spent on the bench, Sooryavanshi’s ability to remain unfazed against elite bowling units has rendered that approach obsolete. “When I was coaching or was the captain for the team, I was against giving young players a chance so soon. I said, keep him for a year or two. He will see. He will sit in the dugout. He will learn a bit. But the way Vaibhav is playing, I have to change my thinking and words,” he added.
Throughout the season, Sooryavanshi has amassed 680 runs, showing no hesitation while facing world-class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His ability to maintain a positive, attacking intent against such seasoned professionals has been the hallmark of his breakout year.
What Lies Ahead
With Rajasthan Royals advancing to Qualifier 2 following their 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, all eyes remain fixed on the teenager. As the team prepares to face the Gujarat Titans on May 29 for a spot in the final against RCB, the debate regarding Sooryavanshi’s national call-up is likely to grow louder. Whether the selectors choose to heed Kaif’s advice and hand the youngster an opportunity under Ajit Agarkar’s tenure remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the modern game.
