Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a stunning rise in Indian cricket, making headlines at just 15 years of age. After winning the IPL Orange Cap in 2026 with 776 runs in 16 innings, the teenage batter further underlined his talent by smashing an unbeaten 175 off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final. His innings included 15 fours and 15 sixes.
Sooryavanshi made his India T20I debut during the series against England in July 2026 and has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian cricket. However, former India captain Kapil Dev believes it is still too early to predict how the teenager’s career will develop.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s ability but pointed out that cricket has produced several highly talented youngsters who were unable to maintain their early success at the international level. “It’s too early. Does he have the ability? Yes. But there have been so many in cricket who came with so much ability, then faded out,” Kapil Dev told The Times of India.
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He specifically referred to former India batter Vinod Kambli as an example of a player whose immense early talent did not translate into a long and consistent international career.
“Look at Vinod Kambli. What will we say about that?” Kapil added. According to the former all-rounder, Sooryavanshi’s development away from the cricket field will be just as important as his performances. Kapil believes the youngster’s maturity, mindset and lifestyle over the next few years will provide a clearer indication of his long-term prospects.
“Vaibhav is 15 years old. Give him another three years, then we will talk. When his lifestyle changes, his thinking too will change. Then we’ll come to know how he will look after the next two years. That is more important than looking at his performance,” he said.
Sooryavanshi is currently part of India’s T20I squad but remains behind established openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in the pecking order. With India facing the West Indies in the second T20I on Friday, October 9, attention will now be on whether the teenager gets his opportunity.
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For now, Kapil Dev’s message is clear: Sooryavanshi has the talent, but time will determine whether he can turn his remarkable start into a sustained international career.
