Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Fifteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has firmly shut down the notion that he is purely a limited-overs specialist, declaring his readiness and deep desire for Test cricket. Despite setting the domestic and T20 circuit ablaze with his hyper-aggressive strokeplay, the young prodigy insists that his game is deeply rooted in red-ball foundations.
The left-handed opener became the talk of the cricketing world following a record-shattering IPL 2026 season with the Rajasthan Royals, which culminated in a senior India call-up for the upcoming white-ball tours of Ireland and England. While his staggering T20 statistics have captured global attention, purists and legends alike have been vocal about fast-tracking the teenager into the traditional five-day format to nurture his rare, raw talent.
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Speaking to Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder on the franchise’s official social media channels, Sooryavanshi addressed the growing discussion around his future in red-ball cricket.
“A lot of people have been asking and discussing whether I want to play red-ball cricket in the future or not. So I answered that by saying I’ve already done a lot of practice with the red ball and continue to do so. I’ve also played plenty of red-ball cricket for my state and I still play it.”
The youngster also explained that his aggressive approach in T20 cricket should not be mistaken for his overall batting philosophy, insisting that he adapts according to the demands of each format.
“I want to play red-ball cricket because I train for it regularly. The reason I bat the way I do in this format is because that’s what this format demands. When I play red-ball cricket, I’ll adapt my batting to whatever the format requires. Similarly, in ODIs, I’ll adjust according to the demands of that format. My dream is to play all three formats. The rest is in God’s hands.”
Sooryavanshi’s comments come at a time when some of cricket’s biggest names have urged Indian cricket to carefully develop the teenager as a red-ball player. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara and South African great Dale Steyn have all spoken about his potential in the longest format, despite the attention generated by his white-ball exploits.
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI INDIA SENIOR DEBUT
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been remarkably rapid. He became one of the youngest players to debut in the Ranji Trophy when he represented Bihar at just 12 years of age during the 2023-24 season.
Since then, the left-hander has continued to shatter records. His breakthrough moment in youth red-ball cricket came against Australia Under-19 in Chennai in 2024, where he blasted a 58-ball century, the fastest hundred by an Indian in Youth Tests and the second-fastest in the format’s history.
The teenager followed that up with another remarkable hundred against Australia Under-19 in Brisbane in 2025, becoming the first player in the world to score two Youth Test centuries in under 100 balls before turning 15.
His performances across formats, combined with a stunning IPL season, convinced selectors to hand him his maiden India call-up. However, the youngster is set to begin his international journey in the T20I setup against Ireland and England rather than in the Test arena.
The call-up also puts him within touching distance of becoming one of India’s youngest-ever international debutants, potentially challenging records set by some of the country’s greatest players.
CAN SOORYAVANSHI USE HIS SKILLS VS RED BALL?
While Sooryavanshi’s six-hitting ability has made him one of the most exciting young white-ball talents in world cricket, his red-ball record suggests he possesses the tools required to succeed in longer formats as well.
Before becoming an IPL star, he had already built a strong reputation in first-class and Youth Test cricket. His 104 off 62 balls against Australia Under-19 in Chennai and 113 off 86 balls in Brisbane showcased his ability to dominate attacks even in multi-day cricket.
SOORYAVANSHI vs RED BALL:
- 104 off 62 balls vs Australia U-19 (2024) – Fastest century by an Indian in Youth Tests and the second-fastest in the format’s history.
- 113 off 86 balls vs Australia U-19 (2025) – Guided India U-19 to their biggest-ever Youth Test victory in Australia.
- First player in history to score two Youth Test centuries in under 100 balls before turning 15.
- Ranji Trophy debut at 12 years old for Bihar during the 2023-24 season.
- Has regularly featured in age-group and domestic red-ball cricket despite his growing reputation as a T20 specialist.
That adaptability is one of the reasons why several former cricketers see him as a future Test player. Pujara has backed his long-format potential, while Ashwin has openly advocated for giving him a pathway towards Test cricket. Steyn has gone even further, suggesting that Sooryavanshi could become one of the format’s biggest ambassadors if he continues to embrace red-ball cricket.
For now, India’s newest teenage sensation is preparing for a potential senior debut in the shortest format. But if his own words are anything to go by, Test cricket remains a major part of the dream.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
