Sangakkara on Sooryavanshi: ‘I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soo – Kumar Sangakkara Backs 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for International Call-Up
A Star is Born: The Meteoric Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
In the high-pressure cauldron of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to capture the imagination of the cricketing world as quickly as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Following a stellar IPL 2026 campaign, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has publicly voiced his belief that the teenager is not just a future prospect, but is ready to step up to the international level immediately.
Sooryavanshi’s statistics from the 2026 season are nothing short of extraordinary. Across 16 innings, the prodigy amassed a staggering 776 runs at a blistering strike rate of 237.30. Perhaps most impressively, 684 of those runs were scored purely in boundaries, showcasing a penchant for aggression that few seasoned professionals possess.
The Verdict from a Legend
Speaking after Rajasthan Royals’ exit in Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans, Sangakkara did not mince words regarding his young charge. “With everything Vaibhav’s shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he’s more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him,” the former Sri Lankan great stated. “I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soon.”
Sangakkara highlighted the maturity the 15-year-old displayed, particularly when carrying the responsibility of the opening partnership throughout the tournament. During the high-stakes Qualifier 2, Sooryavanshi faced a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Gujarat’s tall pace battery on a challenging, two-paced track in New Chandigarh. He responded with a gritty 96 off 47 balls, effectively problem-solving his way through a crisis as wickets tumbled at the other end.
The Philosophy Behind the Performance
How does a 15-year-old handle such intense scrutiny? According to Sangakkara, the key is simplicity and clear communication. The Rajasthan Royals management has adopted a strategic approach to his development: “We don’t clutter his mind too much. He comes to all our team meetings, he contributes, he listens, and he does a lot of homework. He practises well and he reads bowlers well, he watches their videos and prepares himself really well.”
This “hands-off” approach has allowed Sooryavanshi to flourish without the weight of external expectations or unnecessary tactical complexity, focusing instead on his natural courage and clear-minded execution.
A Season of Resilience for Rajasthan Royals
The 2026 season was not without its hurdles for the Royals. The team faced significant adversity, including the loss of star all-rounder Sam Curran to injury, and fitness battles for key figures like captain Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite these curveballs, the team managed a turnaround from a ninth-place finish in the previous season to a playoff run.
Sangakkara expressed immense pride in the collective effort, noting the contributions of rookie bowlers like Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punja, who seamlessly transitioned from state-level cricket to the IPL stage. He also took a moment to commend the consistency of players like Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, and the veteran presence of Jofra Archer.
Looking Ahead: Leadership and Growth
Reflecting on Riyan Parag’s first full season as captain, Sangakkara was highly complimentary. “I thought Riyan’s first season as captain was excellent. He really managed his team well. He managed his on-field decisions quite well,” he remarked. The coach remains optimistic about the future, suggesting that the team’s journey this year—defying pre-tournament predictions to reach the playoffs—is a testament to their hard work and team chemistry.
As the curtains close on the 2026 season, the overarching narrative remains the arrival of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. With a mentor like Sangakkara guiding his path and a domestic performance that has broken records, it seems inevitable that the young batting sensation will soon find himself donning the national colors on the world stage.
