Ravi Shastri Reveals Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Insane Craze Among New Zealand Nationals

Akshita Patel

Ravi Shastri Reveals Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Insane Craze [Source: AFP]

Former India coach Ravi Shastri shared an interesting insight when he met a few New Zealanders who were fans of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. It suggested that the kid’s craze is not limited to India anymore.

Team India is touring New Zealand for a multi-format series. The tour began with the first T20I of the 5-game series held at Christchurch on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Ravi Shastri amazed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s craze

Interestingly, during the first T20I between India and New Zealand, former Indian cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri revealed a fan interaction on air. He said that while walking down the river, a few Kiwi nationals enquired about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Apparently, the New Zealand nationals wanted to know if Sooryavanshi would play the first T20I in Christchurch as they wanted to witness the wonder kid’s batting live. Shastri added that Sooryavanshi has warmed the bench for far too long and that he deserves his due.

“I walking down the river yesterday and few Kiwi fans asked me, ‘Is the 15-year-old kid playing tomorrow?’. He’s warmed the bench long enough, you don’t wanna lose his form," Shastri said.

Notably, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was snubbed from India’s playing XI for the first T20I. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma continued to open as they’ve been India’s regular opening pair in T20Is for a long time.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has to wait for his due

Having said that, it’s extremely unlikely that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get the full-time opener role in India’s T20I team anytime soon. Skipper Shreyas Iyer also hinted the same when he said that the 15-year-old cannot walk right into the team.

It’s because Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have been performing consistently, and it would be unfair to drop either of them for Sooryavanshi. But at the same time, the kid has proved his merit.

In 8 T20Is played so far, he has scored 246 runs at a strike rate of 186, including 2 fifties. And his heroics in the IPL are second to none. Earlier this season, he shattered records by scoring 776 runs in 16 games, including 2 centuries and three 90+ knocks.

Despite this, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his due. He will likely warm the bench in the near future until a space for him opens up in the playing XI.