Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for Test cricket: People know my T20 side, not the red ball

Fifteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi firmly dismissed the notion that he is purely a limited-overs specialist and declared his readiness and deep desire for Test cricket. Despite setting the domestic and T20 circuit on fire with his hyper-aggressive stroke play, the young prodigy insists his game is deeply rooted in red-ball fundamentals.

The left-arm opener became the talk of the cricket world after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals that culminated in senior invited to India for the upcoming white ball tour of Ireland and England. While his staggering T20 stats grabbed the world’s attention, purists and legends alike have been vocal about the teenager’s swift transition to the traditional five-day format to develop his rare, raw talent.

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In an interview with Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder on the franchise’s official social media channels, Sooryavanshi addressed the growing debate about 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 my answer is that I have already practiced a lot with the red ball and I continue to do so. I have also played a lot of red-ball cricket for my condition and I am still playing it.”

The youngster also explained that his aggressive approach in T20 cricket should not be mistaken for his overall batting philosophy and insisted that he adapts 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 the format demands it. When I play red-ball cricket, I adapt my batting to whatever the format demands. Similarly, in ODIs, I adapt to the demands of the 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 spoken about his potential in the longest format despite the attention his white-ball exploits have garnered.

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI SENIOR INDIA DEBUT

Sooryavanshi’s rise was remarkably rapid. He became one of the youngest players to make his Ranji Trophy debut when he represented Bihar in the 2023-24 season at the age of just 12.

Since then, the left-hander has continued to break records. His breakthrough moment in red-ball youth cricket came against Australia Under-19s in Chennai in 2024, where he hit 58 balls, the fastest hundred by an Indian in youth Tests and the second fastest in the history of the format.

The teenager followed that up with another remarkable hundred against Australia Under-19s in Brisbane in 2025, becoming the first player in the world to reach a Youth Test double hundred in less than 100 balls before turning 15.

His performances across formats combined with a stunning IPL season convinced the selectors to hand him his first India call-up. However, the youngster is all set to start his international journey in a T20I setup against Ireland and England and not in the Test arena.

The call-up also puts him within touching distance of becoming one of the youngest international debutants in India’s history, potentially challenging the records of some of the country’s greatest players.

CAN SOORYAVANSHI USE HIS SKILLS VS RED BALL?

While Sooryavanshi’s six-hit ability has made him one of the most exciting young white-ball talents in world cricket, his red-ball record suggests he has the tools to succeed in the 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 he has shown his ability to control attacks in multi-day cricket as well.

SOORYAVANSHI vs RED BALL:

104 off 62 balls vs Australia U-19 (2024) – Fastest century by an Indian in youth Tests and second fastest in the history of the format.
113 off 86 balls vs Australia U-19 (2025) – Led India U-19 to their biggest ever Youth Test win in Australia.
First player in history to score two Youth Test centuries in less than 100 balls before turning 15.
He made his Ranji Trophy debut at age 12 for Bihar in the 2023–24 season.
He featured regularly in age-group and domestic red-ball cricket despite his growing reputation as a T20 specialist.

This adaptability is one of the reasons why several former cricketers see him as a future Test player. Pujara touted his potential in the long format, while Ashwin openly advocated giving him a path to Test cricket. Steyn went further and suggested that Sooryavanshi could become one of the format’s greatest ambassadors if he continues to embrace red-ball cricket.

For now, India’s latest teenage sensation is gearing up 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.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

07 Jun 2026 15:03 IST