Mohit Sharma Backs 15-Year-Old Prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India Call-up
The Rise of a Teenage Sensation
The landscape of Indian cricket has witnessed many prodigies over the decades, but rarely has a talent captured the imagination of the public quite like 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Currently dominating the headlines with his explosive displays for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, the young batter has become the talk of the cricketing fraternity. Having made his debut at the tender age of 14 during the 2025 season, Sooryavanshi has rapidly evolved into one of the most feared and aggressive strikers of the cricket ball in the league.
Mohit Sharma: ‘Try Him Out’
Adding weight to the growing clamor for his international debut, former India pacer Mohit Sharma has publicly urged the national selectors, specifically Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, to consider testing the teenager at the highest level. In a recent interview, Sharma emphasized that Sooryavanshi has already demonstrated the ability to thrive against top-tier opposition, a prerequisite for international success.
“Of course, he should play for India. Why not? What do you need to play for your country? You need to perform against top players and top teams, which he is already doing in the IPL,” Sharma noted. “Now, it comes down to team combinations and how the team thinks. If we are talking about whether he is ready or not, I would say try him out if there is a spot.”
A Measured Path to the Top
While endorsing his talent, Mohit Sharma also offered a pragmatic perspective. He cautioned against reckless fast-tracking, suggesting that the team management should wait for the right opportunity rather than forcing the issue. Given his age, experts believe that Sooryavanshi represents a long-term investment who could potentially serve the Indian national team for the next 15 to 20 years.
As he continues his development, the youngster has been rewarded with a call-up to the India-A squad for the upcoming List-A tri-series in Sri Lanka, scheduled for June. This competition, which includes Sri Lanka-A and Afghanistan-A, will provide a vital platform for the teenager to prove his mettle under the leadership of Tilak Varma and vice-captain Riyan Parag.
The Numbers Behind the Hype
The statistical output from Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026 justifies the excitement. Currently sitting in sixth place on the Orange Cap leaderboard, he has accumulated 486 runs across 12 matches. His average of 40.50 combined with an extraordinary strike rate of 234.78 paints a picture of a batter who prioritizes dominance from the very first ball. With two fifties and a century already to his name this season, he has proven that he is not just a flash in the pan.
Navigating a Crowded Field
The current Indian T20I setup is arguably the most competitive it has ever been. With established stars and rising talents like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill all vying for the opening slots, breaking into the playing XI is no small feat. However, Mohit Sharma remains optimistic about the current generation’s approach to the game.
“If you see Abhishek Sharma, he also plays an aggressive brand of cricket. Earlier, it was about power and range-hitting; now, there is a lot of focus on technique and timing,” Sharma remarked, highlighting the evolution of batting styles in modern cricket.
A Humorous Retirement Benefit
Reflecting on the sheer force of Sooryavanshi’s batting, Mohit Sharma concluded with a lighthearted comment regarding his own career trajectory. “Not just batting, but smashing all top fast bowlers. He will learn and evolve with time. Currently, he is only playing one style and format. With his talent, I am sure he will go a long way. I am happy I have retired, or else I would have been smashed too.”
Whether the selectors choose to fast-track the 15-year-old or allow him further seasoning in the India-A circuit remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has announced himself to the world, and his journey at the highest level is likely only just beginning.
