Is it too soon to invite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to India? Former IND player raises concerns

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed concern over the standards of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite the Rajasthan Royals opener’s explosive run in the ongoing IPL season. The 15-year-old from Bihar once again grabbed headlines with the bat against Delhi Capitals on May 17, but a costly mistake in the deep made Kaif question his all-rounder’s readiness for international cricket.

The comments come at a time when Sooryavanshi was called up to the India A team and continues to emerge as one of the breakout stars of the Indian Premier League 2026, combining a fearless stroke play with a record six-strikes.

“Painful to watch in this IPL,” Kaif wrote on his X handle after Rajasthan Royals’ clash with Delhi Capitals. “Today Yash Raj dropped KL when he was at zero. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made too many mistakes. The young lad didn’t catch this season.” Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in limelight for his poor fielding (Photo: Screenshot by X/@MohammadKaif)

“When he plays for India, he has to be sharper on the field. It is the duty of coaches to teach young fielding skills. The boys should enjoy and be proud of fielding,” Kaif added, stressing the importance of fielding discipline at the highest level.

Criticism came after a while in the match against DC where Sooryavanshi, placed at deep fine leg, failed to stop Axar Patel’s shot on the boundary against Yash Raj Punja. The incident followed Yash Raj’s fielding failure to drop KL Rahul for a wicket, adding to concerns about Rajasthan Royals’ fielding standards among the youngsters despite their strong batting performances this season.

SOORYAVANSHI STORM IN IPL

While questions remain over his fielding, Sooryavanshi’s batting continues to attract widespread praise across the cricketing fraternity. The teenager added another milestone to his remarkable campaign against Delhi Capitals, he became the Indian batter with the most sixes in a single IPL season.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh compared the youngster’s ability to hit the ball with some of the most devastating hitters in the game and claimed that he had rarely seen such dominance from a batsman so early in an innings.

“I have played with many players but I have never seen a batsman like Suryavanshi who dominates every bowler from one ball,” Harbhajan told JioStar. “I have dismissed Chris Gayle many times but Suryavanshi is at a different level. His bat flow is something I have never seen.”

Sooryavanshi will continue to be the focal point of Rajasthan Royals’ campaign as the franchise looks to secure a play-off spot in the remaining two league matches of the IPL 2026 season.

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Published on:

18 May 2026 16:02 IST