Mohammad Kaif urges Ajit Agarkar to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an ODI call-up aft – Mohammad Kaif Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India ODI Call-up
The Rise of a New Indian Cricket Superstar
The IPL 2026 season has introduced the world to a generational talent: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15 years old, the Rajasthan Royals sensation has captivated the cricketing fraternity, performing with a level of maturity and fearlessness that defies his age. As the tournament progresses toward its climax, the teenager has firmly established himself as the hottest prospect in Indian cricket.
A Historic Performance in the Eliminator
On Wednesday, May 27, in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh, Sooryavanshi delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. Facing a high-stakes scenario, the youngster dismantled the SRH bowling lineup, scoring an astounding 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries. His innings featured 12 mammoth sixes and five boundaries, leaving the opposition completely shell-shocked.
This performance was not merely about brute force; it was about rewriting the record books. With this knock, Sooryavanshi surpassed Chris Gayle’s legendary record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. While Gayle hit 59 sixes in the 2012 campaign, the young Rajasthan Royals batter has pushed the benchmark to 65, with potentially more matches to play.
Mohammad Kaif’s Bold Recommendation
The sheer quality of Sooryavanshi’s batting has caught the attention of former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif. In a move that highlights the magnitude of the youngster’s talent, Kaif has publicly urged Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar to fast-track the 15-year-old into the Indian national team across two formats: T20 Internationals and ODIs.
Kaif, who is often known for his measured approach toward grooming young talent, admitted that Sooryavanshi’s performance has forced him to reconsider his traditional views on player development. “I am looking at two formats,” Kaif stated in a recent discussion. “I am saying this because I am an old-school guy. Usually, I believe in letting a youngster sit in the dugout and learn for a year or two. But the way Vaibhav is playing, I have to change my thinking and words.”
Why ODIs Suit the Teenager
Kaif’s argument for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the ODI squad is rooted in the current field restrictions. According to the former India batter, the powerplay rules in the 50-over format provide the perfect stage for the teenager’s aggressive approach. “He can play ODI as well. He will hit a lot of sixes in the first 10 overs. I am looking at the ODI format, where five fielders are always up. It doesn’t matter if the fielder is up; he is hitting long sixes.”
The statistics support the hype. With 680 runs in the current season, Sooryavanshi has not shown an ounce of hesitation when facing world-class bowlers. He has attacked the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with absolute clinical precision. Kaif added, “You see, he is not leaving any bowler. Whether it is Bumrah, Cummins, Rabada, or Bhuvneshwar, he goes after them all without fear.”
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Final
Thanks to the young star’s breathtaking knock, Rajasthan Royals secured a 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. They now advance to Qualifier 2, where they are set to face the Gujarat Titans on May 29. The winner of that clash will secure a spot in the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As the IPL 2026 season reaches its peak, all eyes remain fixed on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a player who seems to be playing a completely different game to everyone else on the pitch.
