![Kapil Dev speaks about Vaibhav Sooryavnshi [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777813525245_vaibhavsooryavanshi.jpg?type=hq)
Kapil Dev speaks about Vaibhav Sooryavnshi [Source: AP]
India’s 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has taken the world by storm over the past couple of years, after debuting in the IPL at just 14 and beating up every marquee bowler that has come his way so far.
Having played only 28 T20 matches, he has already gone past 1100 T20 runs at a strike rate of 215.39 and four centuries to his name, alongside a 175 in the U19 World Cup final earlier in 2026. Naturally, the buzz around him has brought up the inevitable discourse of whether the teenager is India-ready or not.
Interestingly, addressing Sooryavanshi’s batting, India’s World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, spoke to the media about the southpaw but refrained from making any over-the-top judgments.
Kapil Dev ducks questions on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Speaking to the media at an event on Sunday afternoon, Kapil Dev was asked about his opinions on what he felt watching Sooryavanshi play and his calibre to play for India. However, the former India captain decided to refrain from making any big statement on the batter and add further media attention so early in his career.
According to him, there are others in a far better position to make judgment calls on Sooryavanshi, including his former teammates Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar.
“I don't know because I haven't seen that. I am like you people. Whatever you put on TV, I see, and I try to make sense out of that. I watch cricket at home on TV, and then giving judgment is not correct,” he said.
“People who talk and see everybody, they are better. Like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, or Harsha Bhogle, they can make more sense than I can,” the 1983 World Cup winner added.
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For a few years now, Kapil Dev has kept his distance from the commentary box and the mainstream media. He is only seen at such events and when he is invited by the BCCI for any match, like he was present in the T20 World Cup final with MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi eyes orange cap in IPL 2026
After playing 10 matches in IPL 2026, which is his first full season with the Rajasthan Royals, replacing Sanju Samson at the top, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already scored 404 runs at a strike rate of 237.64. He is placed fourth in the orange cap leaderboard and already has a century to his name this season, with two fifties.
He has also scored 37 sixes in the tournament so far, more than anyone else in the competition. Having already held the orange cap briefly this season, he is well in the race to clinch it. The leading run scorer right now, Abhishek Sharma, is just 36 runs ahead of him.
RR’s young guns well-poised for playoffs
With four league matches still to be played, the Rajasthan Royals have already clinched 6 of their 10 matches and are currently fourth on the points table.
After finishing at the bottom of the table last year, change in leadership and inclusion of a plethora of young talent in the team. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains central to their chances of lifting their first IPL title since 2008.
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