Can India Afford to Overlook Sooryavanshi, and Is England Next?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in the IPL, achieving this feat just nine days after his record-breaking debut at the age of 14 in 2025. Now, at 15, India's latest cricket sensation continues to impress, sparking calls for his international debut. Sooryavanshi's exceptional talent was on full display during his debut IPL season, where he scored a 35-ball hundred as a 14-year-old. He has continued to thrive in the 2026 edition, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stages with the Rajasthan Royals. With two 15-ball fifties against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament, having scored 200 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 263.15. A golden duck in Monday's defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad reminded everyone that Sooryavanshi is human, but his ball-striking power, physical presence, and crease composure have left seasoned professionals in awe. India and Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel praised Sooryavanshi, saying, "We just cannot believe how someone can hit like that. He is a great talent and we feel good that he is in our team." Jurel added, "When you go in, and Vaibhav is smashing every ball, you tend to think nothing is happening on the wicket. Cricket is not as easy as he's playing." With potential international teammates like Jurel praising his abilities, the question remains whether India will give Sooryavanshi a chance to shine on the international stage. India has an abundance of emerging talent, and with their T20 side being the newly-crowned World Cup winners, it is uncertain whether selectors will tinker with a winning formula. However, every now and then, a player emerges who cannot be ignored. Sooryavanshi appears to be cut from the same cloth as cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. His impressive 175 in the U19 World Cup final in February, which helped India secure a 100-run victory over England and a record sixth title, proves he can perform against the best. With a packed summer of white-ball fixtures ahead, Sooryavanshi may have the opportunity to make his international debut. If he is not given a chance in the upcoming series against Afghanistan, he may break through in the British Isles, where India will face Ireland and England in seven T20Is and three ODIs in June and July. Whether it happens this summer or not, it seems only a matter of time before Sooryavanshi receives the call from India, putting the cricket world on notice.