Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India Debut All But Confirmed, To Open With Abhishek Sharma Against..

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AP]

In a significant development, it has been learnt that Bihar's wonder kid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is all set to be fast-tracked to the Indian T20I team. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India recently enjoyed stellar success in T20 cricket, clinching the coveted T20 World Cup trophy for the third time. 

As the Men in Blue revamp their core for the next T20 World Cup, the BCCI has decided to rope in 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to the senior team. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 exploits in a nutshell

Hailed as a prodigious batting talent, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi started his IPL 2026 campaign with a bang, hammering a belligerent 15-ball half-century against CSK. 

Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi tormented formidable bowling attacks with ease, showcasing incredible power-hitting skills against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. 

He has already scored 200 runs at an average of 40 and a blistering strike rate of 263.16 in just five IPL 2026 matches so far. 

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Additionally, Sooryavanshi was also India's go-to batter in the Under-19 World Cup, where he powered the Men in Blue to the title through a sensational century in the final against England. 

His batting attributes at such young age has somehow convinced the BCCI selectors, proving his readiness for international cricket at senior level. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be picked for Ireland and Zimbabwe series

The Indian team will travel to Ireland and Zimbabwe for T20I series after the completion of the IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi, who has performed magnificently in the IPL, will likely be picked for both tours. 

According to a report by Indian Express, Sooryavanshi is set to become India's youngest debutant, with the BCCI selection committee likely to pick him for the Ireland and Zimbabwe series. 

“He is in contention for the Ireland tour and the selectors have shortlisted his name along with those of many other players,” a source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. 

Thus, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the shortlisted candidates who could get their maiden India call-up, provided he performs admirably throughout the ongoing IPL season. 

If he gets selected, Sooryavanshi could open the batting with the swashbuckling Abhishek Sharma and form one of the most fearsome opening pairs in the shortest format. 

Statistically, Sooryavanshi has played 23 T20 matches, including 12 in the IPL. He has scored 901 runs, including three fifties and as many hundreds, at an average of 40.95 and a strike rate of 215.03. 

His profound bat-swing helps Sooryavanshi generate extraordinary power, establishing him as one of the cleanest strikers in modern-day cricket. 

What could be India's probable squad vs Ireland and Zimbabwe?

According to the Indian Express report, the BCCI could pick second-string teams for India's Ireland and Zimbabwe tours. The Indian team will travel to Ireland for two T20Is in June before facing Zimbabwe across three T20Is in July 2026. 

So, we might see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma open the batting, with the likes of Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya getting rested. 

Ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah might also be rested for the T20I series in order to keep himself fit for the ODI assignments leading up to the 2027 World Cup. In such a scenario, Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi, who have been clinical with the ball in the IPL 2026, might return to the T20I setup as lead bowling options. 

India's probable squad vs Ireland and Zimbabwe

Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Kuldeep Yadav

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