Sikandar Raza Makes Bold Call On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Before IND vs ZIM T20Is

Sikandar Raza and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP]

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will likely be making his return to the Indian playing XI in the upcoming T20I series in Zimbabwe. The 15-year-old was recently dropped from the national side in the fifth T20I against England in favour of senior pro Sanju Samson. 

With Samson getting ‘rested’ from the Zimbabwe tour, one can assume that Sooryavanshi will resume opening the innings for Team India alongside fellow attacking left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma.

Ahead of the series in Zimbabwe, home captain Sikandar Raza recently lavished a significant praise on India’s teenage batting sensation. The legendary all-rounder also made a bold prediction regarding Sooryavanshi’s future. 

Sikandar Raza praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi before series

While speaking with the reporters, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza praised young Indian opening batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Calling him “talented”, the legendary all-rounder also defended Sooryavanshi from unwanted critics considering he is just 15-years-old at the moment. 

Also Read- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Record In Zimbabwe Before IND vs ZIM Series 2026

He said “Vaibhav is a supremely talented cricketer. If a 15-year-old kid is playing international cricket, criticising him after just two or three matches isn't justified.”

The Zimbabwe cricketer also made a bold prediction regarding the future of the Rajasthan Royals opener. According to him, the youngster can become a “generational talent” if he is managed and handled well by the Indian selectors and team management.

Sikandar Raza added “If he is managed and handled well, I think Vaibhav could be a generational talent.”

How has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi performed in recent months?

Earlier this year, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted 175 runs off just 80 balls in the final against England as India U19 lifted the 2026 ICC U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe. 

The youngster followed it up with an ‘Orange Cap’ winning run for the Rajasthan Royals franchise in IPL 2026, scoring 776 runs in just 16 innings at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30. In doing so, the 15-year-old became the youngest player in history to win the coveted cap in the IPL.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also helped India A clinch the tri-series in Sri Lanka with a whirlwind 29-ball 94 against Sri Lanka A.

Unfortunately for the youngster, he failed to make the most of his debut international series for India earlier this month in England. In three matches, the cricketer managed to make just 42 runs in three innings at a substandard average of 14.

Aiming to put some international runs under his belt, the Rajasthan Royals star will be eager to make a strong impression in Zimbabwe, the same country where he starred in India U19’s 2026 ICC U19 World Cup triumph earlier this year. 

Battered and bruised India desperate to win in Zimbabwe 

Team India will now take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series between July 23 and July 26 this week. The three matches will be hosted by the iconic Harare Sports Club in Harare. 

The series marks a must-win one for both, newly-appointed captain Shreyas Iyer and for young Sooryavanshi, as the Indian team aims to overcome its recent T20I drubbings in England and Ireland.

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