Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: ICC) NEW DELHI: Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been making headlines time and again – and for good reason. His stylish batting, brute strength, effortless sixes and ability to dismantle bowling attacks made him a fan favorite in no time.The past year in particular was remarkable for the young man. And heading into IPL 2026, there is a significant change – he is no longer 14.
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Impact Player Rule: Game Changer or All-Round Killer?Sooryavanshi turned 15 on Friday (March 27) and celebrated his birthday just a day before the start of IPL 2026.Is he eligible to play for Team India (Senior Team)?Questions like – Is Sooryavanshi eligible to play for India’s senior team? Will it penetrate the side? When will it debut? – were repeatedly asked.Now that the youngster is officially 15, he is eligible to play in senior international cricket under the ICC’s Player Eligibility Regulations (Article 4).According to the INTERNATIONAL CRICKET BOARD PLAYER ELIGIBILITY RULES ARTICLE 4 ELIGIBILITY BASED ON AGE 4.1 states, “ELIGIBILITY UNDER ARTICLE 4 BASED ON AGE, “A player shall be eligible to represent the National Cricket Federation in an international match/events U15CC including U15CC. or later on the relevant team submission date (in case of ICC events including U19 events) or on the date of the first match of the series/tournament to be played (in case of all other international matches).Following the introduction of these regulations in November 2020, the ICC set a minimum age of 15 for participation in international cricket (U19 level and above), keeping in mind the welfare and physical safety of minors, including during travel.India invite for Sooryavanshi coming soon? That remains to be seen.The youngster grabbed global attention with his stellar performances in his debut IPL season in 2025.He smashed a sensational 100 off 35 balls in his very second IPL match.His heroics in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 along with impressive outings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and Ranji Trophy 2025 were outstanding.After his IPL success, Sooryavanshi was called up to the India U19 squad where he continued to shine.U-19 World Cup 2026 (player of the tournament): Sooryavanshi led India to their sixth title, highlighted by a stunning 175 off 80 balls (including 15 sixes) in the final against England.Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: At 14 years and 272 days, he became the youngest player to score a List A century. During his blistering 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, he broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls.Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Appointed Bihar’s vice-captain at the age of 14, he scored his maiden first-class fifty with a 67-ball 93 against Meghalaya, narrowly missing out on becoming the youngest Ranji centurion.Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: Continued his white-ball dominance with an unbeaten 108 and a composed fifty (50 off 34 balls) against Maharashtra, showing improved maturity in the pace of his innings.Rising stars Asia Cup (Doha): As an India A representative, he smashed a “virtuoso” 144 off 42 balls against the UAE.
