Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for India? Sangakkara gives his verdict

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sensational IPL 2026 campaign may have ended with Rajasthan Royals missing out on a place in the final, but the 15-year-old has further strengthened his case for an India call-up.

The teenage opener once again grabbed the spotlight in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, smashing a breathtaking 96 off just 47 balls. Although Rajasthan fell short in the knockout clash, Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting ensured he finished the season as one of the tournament’s biggest success stories.

Sangakkara backs India selection

Following the match, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara expressed confidence in the youngster’s ability to make the step up to international cricket, saying, “Yeah, I mean, you never know if anyone’s ready until they play. But with everything Vaibhav has shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he’s more than ready to take on any challenge you throw at him. And I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soon. He’s batted with a lot of maturity.”

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Sangakkara praised the teenager’s temperament, confidence and ability to perform under pressure. He also pointed out that the youngster has already succeeded against some of the best bowlers in the world during the IPL, proving that he can handle elite competition.

“And that’s how we’ve done everything. Vaibhav is an outlier, but we bought him because we thought he was absolutely good enough to play in our first XI. We’ve changed our mindset completely away from the development angle for the last four years,” Sangakkara also addressed the media.

A season to remember

Sooryavanshi enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 season, finishing with 776 runs in 16 matches. His aggressive approach at the top of the order helped Rajasthan Royals reach the playoffs and made him one of the most talked-about players of the tournament.

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The young batter consistently dominated experienced international bowlers and delivered match-winning performances throughout the campaign. His ability to play fearless cricket while maintaining consistency drew praise from former players, coaches and fans alike.

Having already earned a place in the India A setup, Sooryavanshi’s performances have intensified calls for a senior national team debut. With strong backing from Sangakkara and several cricketing greats, the teenager appears well placed to take the next step in his rapidly rising career.

After rewriting records and exceeding expectations in IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi has shown that age is no barrier when talent and confidence come together.