Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has shared a fascinating story about his first encounter with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, revealing how the youngster left everyone at Rajasthan Royals stunned during a practice session with his fearless approach against some of the world’s best fast bowlers. The 15-year-old enjoyed a dream IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer before earning his maiden India call-up.
Although Sooryavanshi was left out of India’s playing XI for the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast, the excitement surrounding his international debut continues to grow. Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket during the India-Ireland T20I broadcast, Sangakkara recalled watching Sooryavanshi for the first time at Rajasthan Royals’ training camp in Guwahati.
According to the Royals’ Director of Cricket, the youngster volunteered to bat in the most challenging net session, where Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma and the other fast bowlers were operating with the new ball. “I first saw Vaibhav when I came in for a two-week period to Guwahati. There was this tiny, horrible little side net where the likes of Archer and Sandeep Sharma were bowling with the new ball, and no one really wanted to bat there. Then I saw Vaibhav walk in and say, ‘I’ll bat.’ Every time he hit the ball, I could hear the sound of his bat like a gunshot,” Kumar Sangakkara said.
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What impressed Sangakkara even more was the teenager’s fearless mindset. Rather than being intimidated by international-quality pace, Sooryavanshi attacked the bowlers from the outset, forcing even Archer to admire his fearless strokeplay. “I think he just put Archer to the sword; he put Sandeep Sharma to the sword. At one point Archer actually stopped and laughed because he was bowling quickly, and this 14-year-old kid was treating him with absolute disdain,” Sangakkara added.
Kumar Sangakkara recalls the first time he saw Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in action 🤯 pic.twitter.com/lMw8N7WLht
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 26, 2026
The former Sri Lanka captain revealed that he immediately walked over to then-Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid and told him the youngster was already good enough to play at the highest level. “My feedback to Rahul was simple—he’s ready to play whenever you want him. The kid is just incredible,” Sangakkara recalled.
Sooryavanshi has justified that faith with a remarkable rise over the past few months. The left-handed opener amassed 776 runs in just 16 IPL 2026 matches at an average of 48.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 237.30. He also smashed a record 72 sixes during the tournament, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous IPL record while winning the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Most Sixes awards.
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The youngster carried his sensational form into India A colours as well, blasting an 11-ball half-century and a breathtaking 94 off just 29 deliveries in the Tri-Series final.
Despite growing calls for his debut following India’s disappointing defeat in the first T20I against Ireland, the team management may once again persist with the experienced opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. If that happens, Sooryavanshi is widely expected to receive his long-awaited opportunity during India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against England, where one of world cricket’s brightest young talents could finally announce himself on the international stage.
