“Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India
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A Rising Star Gains High Praise
The world of Indian cricket has been set ablaze by the meteoric rise of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As the IPL 2026 season unfolded, the young batter consistently captured headlines, culminating in a performance that has left seasoned professionals in awe. Among those closely observing his journey is fellow batting talent Sarfaraz Khan, who recently shared his insights on why he believes the youngster is destined for longevity at the highest level.
Recognizing Talent Early
Speaking on the sidelines of a promotional event in Mumbai, Sarfaraz Khan reminisced about his first encounter with Sooryavanshi. The two crossed paths during a Ranji Trophy fixture in January 2024, where Sooryavanshi made his First-Class debut for Bihar against Mumbai at the tender age of 12 years and 284 days. While the match results were modest for the newcomer, Sarfaraz noted that the raw ability was undeniable even then.
“He is a very good friend of mine, and we stay in touch,” Sarfaraz remarked. “I first saw him during that Ranji debut, and even then, I could see that he had great skill.” This early recognition has since been validated by a string of record-breaking performances across youth and domestic cricket.
The Verdict: Success Across All Formats
When asked if the young prodigy possessed the versatility to thrive in the demanding world of international cricket, Sarfaraz was unequivocal. Emphasizing that “Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India, Sarfaraz pointed to the youngster’s balanced game. He firmly believes that Sooryavanshi’s technical foundation is robust enough to handle the rigors of Test cricket while his aggressive flair makes him a natural fit for white-ball formats.
Sooryavanshi’s resume is already packed with historic milestones:
- Youth World Cup Brilliance: Finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup, including a blistering 175 off 80 balls in the final against England.
- List-A Dominance: Recorded the fastest 150 in List-A history, reaching the mark in 59 balls during a 190-run exhibition in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- Youth Test Records: Claimed the second-fastest century in Youth Test history at the age of just 13.
A Different Kind of Mindset
While natural talent is often the focus of such discussions, Sarfaraz Khan highlighted that Sooryavanshi’s greatest asset might be his mental makeup. “His mindset and preparation are different,” Sarfaraz noted. “Anyone can succeed with hard work, but he has worked extremely hard on his game.” This level of dedication at such a young age is what separates a flash-in-the-pan talent from a consistent, long-term performer for the national side.
An Historic IPL 2026 Campaign
The 2026 IPL season served as the ultimate stage for Sooryavanshi to prove his critics wrong. Despite the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign ending in a narrow defeat against the Gujarat Titans—where the teenager nearly single-handedly salvaged the game with a 96-run masterclass—his individual statistics were staggering:
- Total Runs: 776 runs in 16 matches, securing the Orange Cap.
- Consistency: Averaged 48.50 with an explosive strike rate of 237.
- Power Hitting: Established a new record for the most sixes in a single IPL season with 72 massive hits.
As the cricket fraternity continues to debate whether he is ready for a senior call-up, voices like that of Sarfaraz Khan provide a compelling argument. With a blend of technical prowess, record-breaking records in youth cricket, and the work ethic to match, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appears to be a name that will be synonymous with Indian cricket for years to come.
