Mohit Sharma Backs ‘Special Talent’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India Call-Up After IPL Heroics

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been sending top fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada on a leather hunt in the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League, is closer to his dreams of representing India.

The left-handed batter from Rajasthan Royals has earned a call-up to the India A team for the triangular series in Sri Lanka from June 9.

He set the IPL stage on fire by scoring 440 runs in his first 11 matches at a strike rate of 236.55 in the ongoing edition. The stellar performance led to debates in the cricketing world about his immediate future, particularly, if he was ready to play for India and absorb the mental and physical pressure at this age.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India have made its plans clear. They aim to develop the youngster through the India A ranks and promote him swiftly. 

Sooryavanshi moved directly from the U-15 age group to the U-19 category due to his exceptional talent. He even scored a match-winning 175 off 80 balls in the ICC U-19 World Cup final against Pakistan that India won earlier this year.

PERFORMANCE UNDER PRESSURE

Not only the BCCI, but even the cricketers agreed that playing in the IPL, where he debuted in 2025, is similar to playing international cricket, as one gets to play with top-class foreign players. It shouldn't be a huge leap for Sooryavanshi when he wears the India jersey.

Former India speedster Mohit Sharma caught a glimpse of Sooryavanshi from close quarters in IPL 2025, where he debuted at 14. The southpaw, who is a fan of Brian Lara, became the youngest IPL centurion after scoring 101 off 38 balls against the Gujarat Titans.

Sharma, who represented the Delhi Capitals last year, backed the decision to fast-track him. 

"Of course, he should play for India. Why not? What do you need to play for your country? You need to perform against top players and top teams, which he is already doing in the IPL. Now, it comes down to team combinations and how the team thinks. If we are talking about whether he is ready or not, I would say try him out if there is a spot," he told Sportsboom.com in an exclusive interaction.

Sooryavanshi had announced his arrival in the last IPL itself with the IPL century and 252 runs in seven outings at a strike rate of 206.55. He took his game ten notches higher this season and scored another century, 103 off 37 balls, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sharma, an IPL veteran with 134 wickets in 120 appearances, said the whole world was surprised to see a 15-year-old smashing lethal fast bowlers. 

"Not just batting, but smashing all top fast bowlers. He will learn and evolve with time. Currently, he is only playing one style and format. With his talent, I am sure he will go a long way," adding, "I am happy I have retired, or else I would have been smashed too (laughs)."

METHOD TO THE MADNESS

Sharma, who played 26 ODIs for India, including the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand, reasoned that today's kids grasp the technical aspects of the sport faster than his generation, and they attack with precision. 

"If you see Abhishek Sharma, he also plays the aggressive brand of cricket. Earlier, it was about power and range hitting; now, there is a lot of focus on the technique and timing. It is great for the current generation, led by players like Abhishek and Ishan Kishan," he added.

Sooryavanshi's coach in Patna, Manish Ojha, asserted that the youngster could always replicate his training session shots in a live match effortlessly from the age of 8. 

"He is a fast learner. He would always take in instructions and implement them quickly in the nets session. As he grew up, he started delivering the same things in big matches. The transition was very smooth," he said.

Ojha, who coached him at the Gen-Next Cricket Academy, reiterated that the IPL is a senior tournament. 

"If he is shining there, that means he is mentally prepared. You won't be able to sustain if you don't have that mental strength. He looks absolutely ready. It takes a lot to hit bowlers like Bumrah and Hazlewood. His thought process is aggressive, and he wants to dominate the bowlers, but I didn't expect him to play this aggressively, like hitting a six off the first ball."

Sooryavanshi will have the guidance of Tilak Varma, who will lead the India A side in Sri Lanka. Afghanistan is the third team in the competition.