Former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged India to fast-track teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the international setup, stating that the Rajasthan Royals opener has already done enough to warrant selection. Speaking on The ICC Review, Hussain lavished praise on the 15-year-old, whose record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign has made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers globally.
Hussain's Verdict on Sooryavanshi
"Such an easy answer to give to that is that yes, he has to play. I didn't watch too much of the IPL to be honest, but I watched clips of Sooryavanshi and what an incredible talent," Hussain said. Sooryavanshi amassed 776 runs in 16 matches at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, smashing 72 sixes—the most in a single IPL edition—to claim the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player award.
Comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar
Hussain drew parallels to his early encounter with Sachin Tendulkar during the Nehru Cup. "One of my first games for England was in the Nehru Cup, and this young lad strode out with pads on that I'd never seen before, and his name was Sachin Tendulkar. I was in complete awe. If you can impress Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, he's impressed everyone. What an unbelievable talent," he added.
The Selection Dilemma
While acknowledging India's depth in white-ball openers—including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan—Hussain argued that exceptional talent forces selection. "In the end, someone makes such a case, such a consistent case, and such an incredible case for being picked. In the end, you have to say, I don't care who we're leaving out, this lad has to play," he stated.
Future Challenges
Hussain noted that Sooryavanshi must now prove himself in different conditions and overcome inevitable hurdles. "Doing it away from home, against a moving ball, having a downturn in form, finding a weakness—maybe the short ball. But he needs to get through all of that before a world event. My word, this lad is a talent and he has to play," he said.
Proven Pedigree
Sooryavanshi's credentials extend beyond the IPL. He played a key role in India's Under-19 World Cup victory earlier this year, scoring the highest total in a final against England. He has been named in the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, starting June 9.
