Sangakkara on Sooryavanshi: ‘I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soo – Kumar Sangakkara Backs 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for International Call-up
A Star is Born: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
In the high-pressure cauldron of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to capture the imagination of fans and experts alike with such immediate impact. For 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 2026 IPL season was not just a debut; it was a statement. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara, who has seen the youngster up close throughout the campaign, believes the teenager is now fully prepared to make the leap to international cricket.
The Numbers Behind the Phenomenon
Sooryavanshi’s statistics for the season are nothing short of extraordinary. Across 16 innings, he amassed a staggering 776 runs, maintaining an explosive strike rate of 237.30. Perhaps most impressively, 684 of those runs came from boundaries alone, highlighting his relentless ability to clear the ropes and punish loose deliveries. Despite his young age, he operated with a level of aggression that often left seasoned international bowlers searching for answers.
Reflecting on the youngster’s performance after the Rajasthan Royals’ loss to the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, Sangakkara was effusive in his praise. “With everything Vaibhav has shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he is more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him,” the coach stated. “I am sure that he will get that call-up very, very soon. He has batted with a lot of maturity and has shouldered the responsibility of that opening partnership so well for us this season.”
Composure Under Fire
The true test of a young cricketer often lies in their ability to handle adversity. In the Qualifier 2 clash on a challenging, two-paced surface in New Chandigarh, Sooryavanshi faced a hostile spell from the Gujarat Titans’ tall pace attack. Despite a barrage of short-pitched deliveries designed to unsettle him, the teenager remained unphased, problem-solving his way to a brilliant 96 off 47 balls while wickets tumbled at the other end. It was a performance that spoke volumes about his temperament and tactical awareness.
Sangakkara emphasized that the team’s strategy for Sooryavanshi involves keeping his environment simple. “We don’t clutter his mind too much,” he explained. “He contributes in meetings, he listens, and he does a lot of homework. He practices well and reads bowlers effectively by watching their videos. We don’t want to put any unnecessary thoughts into his head. A clear mind and the courage to bat with freedom are exactly what we want to see from him.”
Building for the Future
The 2026 season presented significant challenges for the Rajasthan Royals, including injuries to key players like Sam Curran, and fitness management for captain Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite these obstacles, Sangakkara expressed pride in how the squad rallied, particularly in how young talents like Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punja integrated into the team.
“Everyone should be extremely proud of themselves,” Sangakkara remarked. “To move from our ninth-place finish last season to where we reached this year is a great sign. We had guys like Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, and Shubham Dubey all contributing when called upon. It is a wonderful group of highly skilled players.”
On the leadership front, the coach was equally optimistic about Riyan Parag’s first full season as captain. While the team fell short of the final, Sangakkara highlighted the resilience of the group. “No one really gave us a chance to qualify for the playoffs when we started, but this goes to show that when you work hard and enjoy the game, you can make special things happen. We will come back better.”
As the cricket world turns its eyes to the future, all signs point toward a bright international career for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Under the guidance of mentors like Sangakkara, the 15-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the modern game.
