Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has backed teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to break into India’s T20I playing XI within the next six months. Kaif believes the youngster’s rapid development could force the team management to make a difficult selection call, with either vice-captain Tilak Varma or all-rounder Shivam Dube potentially making way.
Sooryavanshi was not selected for India’s recent T20I series against Afghanistan and also missed the one-off encounter against Japan. However, Kaif feels the 15-year-old’s progress is making it increasingly difficult to keep him out of the national side for long. According to Mohammad Kaif, Tilak’s position as vice-captain does not guarantee him a permanent place, while Dube’s inconsistent batting, fielding concerns and limited bowling role could also count against him.
“I understand that Tilak is the vice-captain. But vice-captains have also been dropped before. I do not want to go there. Shivam Dube is not scoring in every game and still has to prove himself. Fielding is also his weakness, and he is not a proper bowling all-rounder. He is only playing as a batter. After six months, either Tilak or Dube will be out. You will have to remove one, and Sooryavanshi will play. I am saying this right now,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
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Tilak has had an inconsistent 2026 campaign, scoring 483 runs at an average of 34.50 in 23 matches, including three half-centuries. His role has also shifted depending on the team’s combination, with his struggles against spin sometimes influencing where he bats.
Dube, meanwhile, has produced stronger numbers with both bat and ball. He has scored 502 runs at a strike rate of 170.17 and claimed 15 wickets at an average of 24.93 this year, although his fielding remains an area of concern. Mohammad Kaif also discussed how India could have accommodated Sooryavanshi in the Asian Games squad. After watching India’s match against Japan, he suggested that the team could afford to play with fewer bowling options in favourable conditions and strengthen its batting.
He pointed to Yash Thakur as a possible player to make way, with Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel providing additional bowling support alongside Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Kaif also highlighted Sooryavanshi’s developing all-round skills. The teenager impressed in the Duleep Trophy and even bowled during the tournament.
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“Sooryavanshi scored in the Duleep Trophy as well. He has improved his game. He was even bowling there. So he has understood that if he can bowl a few overs, he will have an advantage,” Mohammad Kaif added.
The former India batter also defended Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach, comparing him with Virender Sehwag and pointing out that an attacking style can succeed even in Test cricket.
