The entire focus is on the young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old kid, who could make his debut for India. He made his Ranji Trophy debut at the young age of 12, scored his first IPL ton at 14, and finished as IPL 2026’s highest run-getter after turning 15. He is the youngest to be added to the Indian cricket squad and may become the youngest debutant when India play Ireland and England as well. The Ireland series starts on Friday. However, former India spinner R Ashwin said that he should not forget to have fun while playing for India as well.
“He’s a 15-year-old kid, who I personally believe should have fun playing the game, just like you would in the gullies from his hometown,” Ashwin told BBC. “He’s not going to have a long road ahead of him where he’s going to play without pressure. It will eventually catch up, because it will turn into work, but as of now, I would love for him to have fun and entertain all of us.”
“I think he’s special. When you watch someone special, you know it straight away,” Ashwin further added. “What stood out with Vaibhav was not just the way he’s batted, but it’s also how he’s been able to make subtle adjustments with respect to some senior bowlers coming after him.”
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However, Sooryavanshi recently played with India A in a tri-nation series, where he played a stunning match-winning knock in the final as well. He will get his opportunity in due time, but it should not come at the expense of someone scoring runs, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also said on Thursday as well.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the game, Kotak said, “Vaibhav is very talented, there is no doubt.And the way he has batted in IPL and all the other games, there is no need to tell that he has got a lot of natural abilities. Because in IPL he has faced Jofra, a lot of quick bowlers, a lot of experienced bowlers. And it seems that nothing is bothering him.So he is obviously an extraordinary talent.”
“And I am sure that he will get his dues and his opportunities. So I don’t think that just to give him an opportunity, we should drop someone who has already been scoring runs. That also won’t be right. I think there is a very thin line between trying to give somebody an opportunity and you are being unfair to some other player,” concluded Sitanshu Kotak.
