Ignore his birth certificate: Gavaskar demands Team India’s debut for Sooryavans – Sunil Gavaskar Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Team India Selection

A New Star Rises in the IPL

The 2026 Indian Premier League season has witnessed the meteoric rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a young talent who has taken the tournament by storm. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi has amassed over 600 runs, playing a pivotal role in his team’s journey to Qualifier 2. As the Royals prepare to face the Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh, the cricketing world is buzzing about his fearless approach to the game.

His standout performance—a blistering 97 runs off just 29 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator—has solidified his status as one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory. This display of raw power and clinical aggression has caught the attention of none other than batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

Gavaskar: Age is Just a Number

In a strong endorsement of the youngster’s capabilities, Sunil Gavaskar has urged the national selectors to look beyond the birth certificate and focus solely on the destruction the young batter is causing on the pitch. According to Gavaskar, Sooryavanshi is not just a future prospect but a player ready for the immediate demands of international T20 cricket.

“He is ready for T20 cricket. He is absolutely ready. When the team is picked for the England tour, Vaibhav should be there,” Gavaskar stated during an interview with Sports Tak. The legendary opener questioned the hesitation of the selectors, asking, “If you don’t give him a chance, then when will you consider him?”

Fearlessness as a Competitive Advantage

Gavaskar highlighted that Sooryavanshi possesses a unique quality that even seasoned international veterans struggle to maintain: the absence of fear. “Don’t look at his age, as he is hitting fours and sixes against bowlers who are 15 years older than him. Even those who have dominated in international cricket are being sent into the stands,” Gavaskar noted. He further emphasized that the young batter’s ability to put bowlers on the back foot from the very first ball is a game-changer.

Reflecting on the psychological evolution of a cricketer, Gavaskar remarked, “When we were kids, there was no fear on our minds. When you grow older, the defence becomes a key factor. We wanted to hit every ball in tennis-ball cricket.” He advised the young sensation to maintain that childlike approach, arguing that it is the source of the joy and freedom in his batting.

Beyond Just Slogging: A Technical Masterclass

While many young batters are dismissed as mere ‘sloggers,’ Gavaskar was quick to differentiate Sooryavanshi’s approach. He emphasized that the youngster is a genuine hitter with a solid technical foundation. “He is a hitter but not a slogger. There is a difference between the two aspects of the game,” he explained.

A key component of Sooryavanshi’s success is his ability to play with a straight bat, which allows him to generate clean power and hit effectively over the bowler’s head. This technical discipline, combined with his aggressive intent, makes him a versatile and dangerous asset for any team.

The Road to the England Tour

With India set to compete against England in July, the conversation surrounding team selection has intensified. Although the selectors have yet to show explicit interest in the youngster, his statistics and the public backing of a stalwart like Gavaskar have made it impossible for the cricketing fraternity to ignore him. Whether he gets the nod for the upcoming tour remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent, the skill set, and the temperament to thrive on the biggest stage of them all.