Mohammad Kaif urges Ajit Agarkar to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an ODI call-up aft – Mohammad Kaif Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India ODI Call-Up After IPL 2026 Heroics
A Star is Born: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The IPL 2026 season has undeniably introduced a new phenom to the global cricketing stage: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15 years old, the Rajasthan Royals prodigy has taken the league by storm, displaying a level of maturity, fearlessness, and technical proficiency that is rarely seen in players twice his age. As he continues to shatter records with each passing game, the cricket fraternity has begun to recognize him as the next great superstar of Indian cricket.
A Historic Knock in the Eliminator
The teenager’s talent reached new heights on Wednesday, May 27, during the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh. Facing high-pressure circumstances, Sooryavanshi dismantled the SRH bowling attack with clinical precision and raw power. He hammered an incredible 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, a knock that left spectators and experts alike in awe.
During this explosive innings, the left-handed batter struck 12 mammoth sixes and five boundaries. His aggressive approach effectively rendered the opposition’s bowling plans useless. This performance was not just a display of talent; it was a rewriting of history. With this match, Sooryavanshi surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for the most sixes in a single season. While Gayle smashed 59 sixes in the 2012 edition, the young RR sensation has already surged to 65, setting a new benchmark for power-hitting in the tournament.
Thanks to his breathtaking performance, Rajasthan Royals secured a 47-run victory and moved into Qualifier 2, where they are set to face the Gujarat Titans for a spot in the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Mohammad Kaif Calls for International Fast-Tracking
The impact of Sooryavanshi’s batting has been so profound that former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has publicly urged selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar to consider him for the national team. Kaif, who once favored a more cautious approach to integrating youth into the senior squad, has completely shifted his stance after witnessing the teenager’s composure against elite opposition.
Kaif believes Sooryavanshi is ready for both T20I and ODI cricket. “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can play two formats right now. ODI and T20. He can play ODI as well. He will also hit a lot of sixes in the first 10 overs in ODIs. I am looking at ODI, where 5 fielders are always up. And it doesn’t matter if the fielder is up. He is hitting long sixes,” Kaif explained in a recent video.
Changing the Paradigm of Selection
Reflecting on his past philosophies, Kaif admitted that the youngster’s performance has forced a rethink of how young talent should be nurtured. “I am an old-school guy. When I was coaching or was the captain for the team, I was against giving young players a chance so soon. I said, keep him for a year or two. But the way Vaibhav is playing, I have to change my thinking and words,” he added.
What has impressed pundits the most is the quality of bowling the teenager has faced. Throughout the 2026 season, Sooryavanshi has amassed 680 runs, consistently taking on world-class bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar without any sign of nerves. His ability to maintain such aggressive intent against the best in the business is a testament to his exceptional talent. As the cricketing world watches, the question is no longer if Sooryavanshi will represent India, but how soon he will be handed his maiden international cap.
