Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has backed teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for immediate selection in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, insisting that his talent is too good to be held back under the pretext of “needing maturity.” The Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet on August 19 in Mumbai to finalise the squad.

While several tough decisions await, Srikkanth made it clear that Suryavanshi deserves a place among the 15. The 14-year-old batting prodigy has been the talk of Indian cricket ever since his explosive debut for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. He has already earned a call-up to the U19 squad for the upcoming series against Australia.

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Praising the youngster’s fearless style, Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, “Don’t say let him mature. He is already playing with remarkable maturity. His shot-making is on another level. If I were chairman, he would be in the squad.”

While backing Suryavanshi, Srikkanth also raised doubts over Sanju Samson’s chances of being a guaranteed starter in the Asia Cup. Despite Samson’s three T20I centuries in 2024, the former opener believes India’s opening options should revolve around Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, and Sai Sudharsan, with Shubman Gill also in contention.

Samson, on the other hand, struggled against England earlier this year, particularly against the short ball, which may count against him in selection discussions.

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Suryavanshi’s numbers further strengthen his case. In just eight T20 matches, he has amassed 265 runs at an average of 33.12 and a staggering strike rate of 207. If picked, he could become one of the youngest to represent India in international cricket, following in the footsteps of Washington Sundar, who made his T20I debut at 18 in 2017.