Sooryavanshi targeting Test cricket? Young batter’s conversation with Gavaskar c
A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will long be remembered for the arrival of a generational talent. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the trophy, it was 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who captured the imagination of the entire cricketing world. Finishing the season as the highest run-getter and sweeping a multitude of individual awards, the young prodigy has proven that he is far more than just a flash in the pan.
The Conversation with a Legend
Following the conclusion of the final in Ahmedabad, a candid moment between the young sensation and Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar provided a fascinating glimpse into the youngster’s ambitions. When asked about his approach to the game and whether he was shifting his focus toward ground strokes following his T20 exploits, Sooryavanshi was remarkably clear about his future trajectory.
“Yes, I am because next is an ODI assignment. Also, I am practicing with the red ball; till now no one has seen me do that, but pretty soon everyone will,” Sooryavanshi revealed during the conversation.
Debunking the ‘T20 Specialist’ Tag
There has been a common narrative that Sooryavanshi is a one-dimensional hitter who thrives only on the aggressive nature of T20 cricket. Addressing these perceptions, the batter explained that his approach is dictated by the format and the freedom granted by his coaches. “Everyone thinks that I am just a player who loves to hit each ball, but since this is T20 cricket, coaches have given me the freedom. My thought process is to hit the ball if it’s in my range; I don’t like to play lofted shots out of compulsion,” he noted.
His dominance this season was absolute. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, he shattered records by hitting 72 sixes, comfortably surpassing the legendary 59-six mark set by Chris Gayle back in 2012.
The Ultimate Ambition: Test Cricket
Despite his meteoric rise in the shortest format, the Bihar-born batter remains grounded in the traditions of the sport. “I want to play Tests. My father always tells me that the ultimate format is the five-day game,” he said. While admitting he hasn’t had extensive experience with the red ball at the professional level, he remains committed to the grind of domestic cricket. “I have played Ranji Trophy, but I didn’t get too many chances. It was challenging, but I will continue to work on my game.”
Endorsement from the Master Blaster
The conversation around his potential has reached the highest echelons of the sport. Sachin Tendulkar, who understands the pressure of being a teenage prodigy better than anyone else, has publicly backed the youngster. Speaking at the Cricinfo honours show, Tendulkar emphasized the need for patience.
“Exciting talent has to be encouraged. If he’s doing well, then we also need to support him and let him enjoy his game without any pressure being put on him. One cannot tell the selectors to pick the player for a certain format, because that’s their job,” Tendulkar remarked.
The legendary batter also added, with a lighthearted nod to the selectors present, “With Ajit Agarkar sitting here, I have to be careful with my words, just like everybody else. Even I am excited to see Vaibhav play Test cricket at some stage, but I don’t know when.”
Looking Ahead
As the cricket fraternity watches his development with keen interest, the path ahead for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi seems bright. Whether he translates his T20 form into red-ball dominance remains to be seen, but the intent and the support from the game’s greatest icons suggest that a bright future awaits. For now, the focus shifts to his upcoming ODI assignments, but the dream of donning the white flannels remains the ultimate target for the 15-year-old batting sensation.
