Srikkanth Bold Call: Fast-Track ‘Demi-God’ Sooryavanshi

New Delhi, April 22, 2026: The buzz around Indian cricket’s latest sensation, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has reached a fever pitch. With his explosive displays in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, the young prodigy has garnered the highest form of praise from former India captain Kris Srikkanth, who has urged the BCCI selectors to fast-track him into the national setup immediately.

In a bold endorsement, Srikkanth did not mince words, calling Sooryavanshi a “demi-god in the making” and drawing a direct parallel to the debut of legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar in 1989.

A Call for Immediate Action

Speaking on The Week podcast, the former chief selector issued a direct plea to the current chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar. Srikkanth argued that the traditional, cautious approach to nurturing young talent should be discarded in the case of such a rare prodigy.

“Ajit, I’m telling you, you need to fast-track him. The next series, he should be playing,” Srikkanth stated. “He should be in the team—at least in the 15. Let him understand and get the feel of what international cricket is.”

Srikkanth, who famously captained a young Sachin Tendulkar during his maiden tour of Pakistan in 1989, expressed that he sees a similar, rare spark in Sooryavanshi’s eyes and his fearless approach to the game.

“He’s Not Bothered at All”

The praise is not just about raw numbers; it is about the young left-hander’s temperament against world-class opposition. Sooryavanshi has been turning heads this IPL season by taking on elite bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood without a hint of trepidation.

“Imagine. First ball, Jasprit Bumrah, six. Josh Hazlewood, he hammers him. He’s not bothered at all about who the bowler is,” Srikkanth added. “That guy can win matches for you just like that. No question of ‘give him time, let him be consistent.’ No chance.”

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The Prodigy’s Meteoric Rise

The comparison to Tendulkar is significant, yet the numbers backing Sooryavanshi are equally compelling. Since his debut, the 15-year-old has shattered numerous records:

• IPL Dominance: A consistent run-scorer this season, showcasing an aggressive strike rate that has left seasoned veterans in awe.
• U19 Heroics: He was a cornerstone of India’s recent U19 World Cup success, including a massive 175-run knock in the final against England.
• Fearless Approach: His ability to find boundaries against the best in the business has established him as an anomaly in modern cricket.

What Lies Ahead?

While the debate over age-barriers and international exposure continues, the momentum is clearly in favor of the youngster. Reports suggest the BCCI is already considering Sooryavanshi among a list of probables for upcoming assignments, with whispers of a potential debut on the tour of Ireland in June.

For Srikkanth, the philosophy is simple: when you have a match-winner in the making, you don’t keep them waiting. Whether Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel decide to heed the former captain’s advice remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the eyes of the cricketing world will remain fixed on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a long time to come.