Srikkanth urges Agarkar to rush VaibhavSooryavanshi into the Indian side

Kris Srikkanth admitted to being blown away by VaibhavSooryavanshi’s fearless brand of cricket.

Since the young cricket prodigy VaibhavSooryavanshi showcased his A-game in the IPL last year, playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), and all games following that, he has often grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The hype around him has gone up several notches after former India cricketer Kris Srikkanthmade a comparison rarely seen in Indian cricket. He has urged AjitAgarkar to rush the 15-year-old into the Indian side.

Kris Srikkanth feels highly impressed by 15-year-old VaibhavSooryavanshi.

With calls growing for the BCCI to fast-track the 15-year-old into the national setup, Kris Srikkanth not only endorsed the idea but also invoked the name of Sachin Tendulkar. The former Chief Selector, speaking to The Week, urged the incumbent chairman, AjitAgarkar, to fast-track Sooryavanshi into the Indian team at the earliest. He admitted to being blown away by the youngster’s fearless brand of cricket, which has captivated fans since his IPL debut last year, more so this season with his dominance against elite bowlers like JaspritBumrah and Josh Hazlewood.

What did Kris Srikkanth say about VaibhavSooryavanshi?

He said, “This guy, Sooryavanshi, imagine someone playing such shots. That boy is simply outstanding and brilliant. Ajit, I’m telling you, you need to fast-track him. The next series, he should be playing. I’ve been saying this from last year. He should have been fast-tracked, even into the T20 World Cup squad. He doesn’t need to be in the XI straightaway, first let him be in the 15, understand the environment and get a feel for international cricket.” Srikkanth doubled down on his stance, dismissing the need for a cautious approach. He said, “I think Sooryavanshi should be fast-tracked. No question of ‘give him time, let him be consistent’. No chance. That guy can win matches for you just like that. Imagine, first ball, he hits Bumrah for a six. Hazlewood gets hammered; he’s not bothered about who the bowler is. He’s a prodigy.”

Also, having seen Tendulkar up close during his debut tour in 1989, Srikkanth suggested Sooryavanshi could follow a similar path. He said, “When I went as captain in 1989, there was a prodigy, a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar. Today, he’s the God of Cricket. Similarly, this boy could well become the next ‘demigod’ of cricket.” Sooryavanshi is reportedly set to make his India debut after the IPL 2026 season.