Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already shown enough to suggest that something special is brewing. Before embarking on the biggest assignment of his young career — a tour of Ireland and England with India’s senior men’s team — the teenager has made his presence felt in the ongoing tri-series involving the A teams of India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
He has lit up innings in short bursts, peppering the boundary ropes with fearless strokes and showcasing the carefree swagger that has quickly become his trademark. Every time he walks out to bat, there is a sense of anticipation — the feeling that something extraordinary could be just around the corner.
Yet, those flashes of brilliance have remained just that — flashes. A sparkling start here, a whirlwind 22-ball 44 there, enough to leave spectators enthralled but also wondering what might happen if he spends a little longer at the crease. The talent is obvious; what remains to be seen is how quickly he can translate those cameos into substantial knocks.
In the challenging conditions of Dambulla, where spin often dictates terms, Sooryavanshi now has another opportunity to do just that. India A faces Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A again in its remaining round-robin fixtures next week, and the youngster will hope not only to extend his stay in the middle but also help steer his side into the final.
ALSO READ: Just let him be: Ganguly backs BCCI’s decision to allow Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents on tour
India A began the tournament as one of the favourites but has endured a mixed campaign so far. It escaped with a narrow victory over Sri Lanka A in the opener before suffering a surprise defeat to Afghanistan A in a rain-affected contest, leaving its path to the final far less straightforward than expected.
Even so, whenever Sooryavanshi is at the crease, expectations rise. What makes him such a captivating prospect is the way he approaches the game. There is an innocence to his batting, a fearlessness born of youth and an eagerness to embrace every challenge without overthinking the consequences. He bats as though limits simply do not exist.
“Let him be on his own,” Sourav Ganguly told Sportstar.
Having nurtured several young cricketers during his time as India captain, Ganguly understands the psyche of emerging talent. That is precisely why he believes it is important not to burden Sooryavanshi with excessive expectations.
“He is a special talent, and we have all seen that in the IPL. He will obviously learn and improve as he grows, but it’s important to let him play freely and not put too much expectation on him. He is just 15,” Ganguly added.
The signs have been there for everyone to see. For now, the challenge for Sooryavanshi is not about proving his talent, it is about understanding the rhythms of one-day cricket, pacing an innings and turning exciting starts into match-defining contributions. The flashes have been spectacular. The next step is to make them last longer.
Published on Jun 12, 2026
