Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has stated that teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is prepared for international cricket, but only in the T20 format for now. Speaking to Sportstar, Manjrekar highlighted the 15-year-old's impressive performances in IPL 2026, where he scored runs against top bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah. However, he also noted areas that require improvement.
Sooryavanshi's Rise to Prominence
Sooryavanshi first grabbed attention last year with a century in his debut IPL season. He continued his stellar form in domestic cricket and at the under-19 level, including a remarkable 175 in the U-19 World Cup final earlier this year. In IPL 2026, he amassed 404 runs in 10 matches at a staggering strike rate of 237.64, sparking discussions about a potential India call-up after the tournament.
Manjrekar's Assessment
Manjrekar believes Sooryavanshi has done enough to be considered for the Indian T20 team. 'Looking at IPL as a platform to stake a claim for the Indian T20 team, and keeping an eye on his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, where he has a hundred [vs Maharashtra], I think he's done enough. If someone is lighting up this stage like this, then he's ready,' Manjrekar said.
However, he cautioned that breaking into the team won't be easy due to the abundance of openers like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Manjrekar also pointed out that Sooryavanshi's technique, which involves staying leg side to create space for shots, needs adjustment for longer formats. 'Take all the consistent T20 batters in the last few years, Sooryavanshi will stay leg side and hit a ball on middle stump through point because he's staying leg side of the ball. In Test cricket, the advice is to get close to the ball. You will not get 20 runs in England or Australia, South Africa by staying away from the ball,' he opined.
Advice for the Youngster
Manjrekar offered a candid perspective: 'If you want your kid to be famous and rich, T20 batting is for you. If you want him to get the respect of people like us, the critics, then get him to get close to the line of the ball.'
Sooryavanshi remains a promising talent, with his IPL exploits making him a strong contender for the Indian T20 side, but his long-term success may depend on adapting his technique for red-ball cricket.
