Agarkar: Sooryavanshi ‘picked himself’ in T20I squad, we’ve got ‘high hopes of him’
Agarkar: Sooryavanshi ‘picked himself’ in T20I squad, we’ve got ‘high hopes of him’
India chief selector Ajit Agarkar said his panel had little choice but to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a national call-up, saying the 15-year-old “almost forced” his way into the T20I squad with his standout performances over the last two IPL seasons.
In the 2026 season, Sooryavanshi made 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30 to single-handedly carry Rajasthan Royals into the playoffs, which has earned him a place in the India squad for the T20Is in Ireland and England, and the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.
Sooryavanshi’s Impressive Performances
“I think he just has picked himself really,” Agarkar said. “With his performances, he has almost forced us to pick him with how well he has played. For a young kid… I don’t need to talk about how well he is playing. And it’s not just this season. He obviously had a great start [to his IPL career] last season.
At just 14, Sooryavanshi became the youngest centurion in men’s T20s when he scored a 38-ball 101 against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. In this edition, the manner in which he attacked some of the best bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc, convinced selectors he was ready for the next stage.
High Hopes for Sooryavanshi
“And to back it up for a young kid in a competition that’s as competitive and has a high-pressure environment, and how explosive he can be and a game-changer that he can be. Like everyone else that has watched T20 cricket in India, we have got high hopes of him.”
Agarkar, however, said it was too early to discuss Sooryavanshi’s prospects in Tests. In eight first-class matches so far, he has 207 runs, including a best of 93.
Focus on T20 Cricket
“I just explained his performances have made us pick him in the format that he’s excelled over the last couple of seasons of the IPL,” Agarkar said. “With regards to red ball, I mean, he’s a kid. He’s just starting his journey, and I’m sure when the domestic season starts and he plays for his team, plays a bit of red-ball cricket, we will wait and observe. At this point why jump the gun?
“We’re very excited with what he’s doing in T20 cricket. And hopefully, you know, us as selectors or the BCCI and the coaching staff can help him push in the right direction. At this point, we’re just focused on what he can bring to the T20 team, and we’ll take one step at a time.”
