After setting the IPL on fire, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is looking for a second gear

Just a few weeks ago, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the toast of Indian cricket. Fresh historic season of Orange Cap winners in IPL 2026 and armed with the girl’s elder Indian calling, the child prodigy seemed unstoppable. Cricket, however, has a brutal way of defying even the loftiest of expectations. As the India A Talent tri-Series unfolds in Dambulla, the budding teenager is experiencing his first real lean patch in the fast lane.

After dominating the IPL, Sooryavanshi may be finding the transition to 50-over cricket more challenging than expected. The ODI format requires a different balance between aggression and accumulation and the youngster is still looking for that balance in Sri Lanka.

INDIA A vs SRI LANKA A Update

The narrative of Sooryavanshi’s tournament has become frustratingly predictable: explosive, breathless starts that peter out before they can be turned into anything of substance. He scored 14, 44 and 21 in three innings. These would be useful contributions for most players. They represent missed opportunities for his talent and growing reputation.

Monday’s clash against Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium summed up his current struggle perfectly. Asked to bat first, India A watched their young opener get off to a familiar start. Sooryavanshi looked determined to break out of the pattern that had defined his campaign. He dismantled pacer Chamika Gunasekar in the second over, hitting a six and two boundaries with effortless power as he got to 21 off just 14 deliveries. The crowd settled in for what looked like another display of fearless stroke play, but Sri Lanka A had done their homework.

Aware of the left-hander’s vulnerability when forced to generate his own pace against spin, captain Sahan Arachchige introduced himself into the attack as early as the fourth over. This move paid off immediately. Arachchige floated one full and an enticingly wide one outside the off-stump and invited the raid. Sooryavanshi took the bait and attempted an ambitious inside shot. However, he gripped the ball and turned just enough to beat the middle of the bat. The resulting cut puffed towards point where Wanuja Sahan completed a comfortable catch.

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI SCORES 21 OFF 14 BALLS.

– 14 (12) vs Sri Lanka A in 1st match.
– 44 (22) vs Afghanistan A in 2nd match.
– 21 (14) vs Sri Lanka A in 3rd match. (Today) pic.twitter.com/GLfDvEhmYW— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 15, 2026

THE STRUGGLES OF SOORYAVANSHI

In the opening match of the tri-series against Sri Lanka A, Sooryavanshi was dismissed by pacer Mohamed Shiraz. Spotting the delivery in his arc, the teenager tried to clear the infield but failed to get the height he needed and offered a straight catch at mid-on.

Against Afghanistan in India’s second match, he came closest to a decisive innings. Flashing at the top of the order, Sooryavanshi smashed 44 off just 21 balls and looked set for a sizeable score. Still, he couldn’t kick again. A short ball from fast bowler Abdollah Ahmadzai ended an innings that promised much more.

What makes this run particularly interesting is that patience has never been lacking in Sooryavanshi’s game. Earlier this year, he produced one of the standout innings of the youth season when he scored an unbeaten 175 against England in the U19 World Cup final. This knock showcased not only his immense talent but also his ability to move in an innings for long periods. In Dambulla, however, he struggled with the same restraint and game management that underpinned this marathon.

Whether this is a lingering IPL hangover where attacking instincts have become second nature or simply part of the young batter’s natural learning curve remains an open debate. Either way, Sooryavanshi’s struggles should be seen less as a crisis and more as a crucial stage in his development. Sooryavanshi will face the challenge of switching back to T20 mode as India travel to Ireland and England for what could be a watershed moment: an India debut.

Fortunately for India A, Sooryavanshi’s failure did not derail the innings completely. Reduced to 143 for 7, they seemed headed for a subpar total before Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam put on a rousing rescue act. The pair added 104 runs for the eighth wicket, helping India A make an impressive recovery to put a competitive 265 on the board.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

15 Jun 2026 14:25 IST