Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has secured his maiden international call-up after being named in India’s T20 squad for the upcoming tour of England and Ireland.
If selected, the 15-year-old will surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record as India’s youngest player, who was 16 years and 205 days when he debuted in a 1989 ODI against Pakistan.
Sooryavanshi’s inclusion follows a remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he amassed 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30 for Rajasthan Royals, earning the Orange Cap as the league’s leading run-scorer.
The left-handed batsman also claimed the IPL’s Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards, further cementing his reputation as a future star.
His explosive 175-run knock in February played a pivotal role in India’s Under-19 World Cup final victory over England, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
“We’ve seen what he can do—almost single-handedly carrying Rajasthan Royals toward the playoffs,” said selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar. “He started strongly and maintained consistency in a high-pressure environment. He’s a game-changer, and we have high expectations for his potential.”
The tour begins with two T20 matches in Ireland later this month, followed by five games in England in July.
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain, succeeding Suryakumar Yadav, who has been omitted from the squad. Despite leading India to T20 World Cup glory in March, Yadav’s inconsistent form in the tournament and IPL led to the change.
“It’s a tough decision after winning the World Cup, but post-tournament reassessment is standard practice,” Agarkar explained. “We believe this is the best path forward.”
Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title and led Punjab Kings to the 2025 final, returns to T20 internationals after a hiatus since 2023.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been rested, with uncapped pacer Prince Yadav included in the squad.
Full squad
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.