Rohit Sharma's Nightmare Demands Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Test Debut

Rohit Sharma and Vaibav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP and AP Photos]

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been one of the biggest success stories of IPL 2026. The young Rajasthan Royals batter has impressed everyone with his fearless batting and remarkable consistency. As a result, there are already discussions about fast-tracking him into the Indian national team setup.

The 15-year-old left-handed batter enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 season, scoring 776 runs in 16 matches. He maintained an impressive average of 48.50 and registered five half-centuries along with a century.

What makes his achievement even more special is his power-hitting. Sooryavanshi smashed an incredible 72 sixes during IPL 2026. In comparison, no other batter managed to hit even 50 sixes in the competition.

Rohit Sharma's Nightmare Sends A Strong Message To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

As Sooryavanshi’s popularity continues to rise, former South African pacer Dale Steyn, who was once described by Rohit Sharma as one of the toughest bowlers he faced, shared a message that quickly caught everyone's attention.

For those unaware, Rohit Sharma had spoken about Steyn’s greatness during an interaction with Dubai Eye 103.8 in 2024. Rohit revealed how difficult it was to face the legendary pacer and said:

"I have gone and watched his videos like 100 times before I went in to bat. That was Dale Steyn. He is an absolute legend of the game. And what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. And I have faced him many times. He is quick. He used to swing the ball at that pace, which is not easy. It is quite tough. And he was a fierce competitor,” Rohit Sharma said in an interaction with Dubai Eye 103.8 in 2024.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is More Than Just A Slogger– Redefining T20 Batting

Interestingly, Steyn has now voiced his support for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and even suggested that the teenager should aim for Test cricket. According to Steyn, the youngster has the potential to inspire an entire generation.

"There's no bigger advertisement for Test cricket than if Sooryavanshi tells the world his dream is to play red ball for India," Steyn wrote on X. "Our hopes sit with you, young sir."

Dale Steyn

@DaleSteyn62

There’s no bigger advertisement for Test cricket than if Sooryavanshi tells the world his dream is to play red ball for India. Our hopes sit with you young sir.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's First-Class Stats

However, despite his success in T20 cricket, Sooryavanshi's journey in First-Class cricket is still developing. Notably, the young batter made his First-Class debut in 2024 against Mumbai. Since then, he has scored 207 runs from his first 12 innings at an average of 17.25.

While these numbers might not be very impressive, it is important to remember that he is still only 15 years old. Therefore, many believe he has plenty of time to improve and adapt to the longer format of the game.

India A Call-Up And Asian Games Opportunity Await The Youngster

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already been included in the India A tri-series squad for Sri Lanka next month. The selectors are expected to closely monitor his performances during the tournament.

In addition, a PTI report stated that his name is also on the T20I list sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for the upcoming Asian Games. If he makes his debut at the event, he will become India’s youngest-ever international debutant.

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