Sooryavanshi targeting Test cricket? Young batter’s conversation with Gavaskar c

A New Star Emerges in Indian Cricket

The conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru lift the trophy, but the tournament will be remembered for the arrival of a rare talent: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As the highest run-getter of the season and the recipient of numerous individual accolades, the young batter has captured the imagination of cricket fans worldwide. However, it is his aspirations beyond the T20 format that have truly set tongues wagging.

The Gavaskar Conversation

Following the IPL final in Ahmedabad, a pivotal moment occurred when the teenager engaged in an insightful conversation with legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar. During the discussion, Gavaskar inquired whether the youngster was shifting his focus toward playing more ground strokes, moving away from the aggressive aerial approach required in the T20 format. Sooryavanshi’s response was as mature as it was ambitious: “Yes, I am because next is an ODI assignment. Also practicing with the red-ball, till now no one has seen me do that, but pretty soon everyone will.”

The young sensation elaborated on his batting philosophy, noting that his aggression is a product of situational requirements rather than a lack of technique. “Everyone thinks that I am just a player who loves to hit each ball, since this is T20 cricket, coaches have given me the freedom, and my thought process is to hit the ball if it’s in my range, don’t like to play lofted shots out of compulsion,” he clarified.

Rewriting the Record Books

Sooryavanshi’s dominance in the 2026 season was statistical proof of his immense power. He smashed an incredible 72 sixes throughout the tournament, comfortably surpassing the previous record of 59 sixes held by Chris Gayle from the 2012 season. Despite this T20-centric success, the Bihar-born batter remains grounded in the traditions of the sport. “I want to play Tests,” he stated. “My father always tells me that the ultimate format is the five-day game. I haven’t played much with the red ball, even though I have played Ranji Trophy, but again, 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 Sooryavanshi has even drawn praise from the greatest batting legend of them all, Sachin Tendulkar. Known for identifying young talent, Tendulkar emphasized that the teenager must be handled with care to protect his development. Speaking during the Cricinfo honours show, Tendulkar remarked, “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, ever mindful of the pressures of international cricket, added a touch of humor regarding the selection committee, noting, “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.”

The Road Ahead

As the cricketing world looks toward the future, the transition from T20 stardom to the rigors of the Test format remains a significant hurdle. However, with the backing of icons like Gavaskar and Tendulkar, combined with his own stated commitment to red-ball practice, Sooryavanshi appears to be on the right trajectory. Whether he achieves his dream of representing India in the whites depends on his continued growth in the domestic circuit, but for now, the young batter has proven that he possesses both the talent and the temperament to dream big.