Should Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be picked for Ireland tour?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s performances in IPL 2026 has so far has accelerated the talks of the youngster to be handed an India call-up. And with India set to tour Ireland for a 2-match T20I series immediately after the IPL, Sooryavanshi could be in line for not just his maiden India call-up, but an India cap as well which will make him the youngest India debut.

At 15, the left-hander has already built a reputation for taking on established names. If selected, he could become the youngest debutant in Indian cricket history. The current record is held by Shafali Verma, who made her debut at 15 years, seven months and 27 days. Among men, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record, having debuted in 1989 at 16 years and 205 days.

Add to the fact that many prominent figures within the Indian cricketing ecosystem have given their stamp of approval for the youngster, only adds more heft to the entire matter. Last week, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, impressed by the youngster’s performances, had stated that he deserves to become India’s youngest-ever debutant.

“What an amazing batting display by Vaibhav Suryavanshi this @IPL 2026 season. This prodigy certainly deserves to debut for Team India @BCCI as the youngest given his performances,” Dhumal wrote on his X handle.

“It’s rare you get a chance to pick up someone so talented and sooooo young too. Certainly deserves his name to be recorded as the youngest debutant for India,” he added.

Former India players Mohammad Kaif and Piyush Chawla also echoed Dhumal's views

"Last season I thought Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was getting hyped way too early," Kaif wrote on X.

"An old-school cricketer, ​I believe there should be no haste in ⁠fast-tracking young ‌players. But a year later, I think he is ready ​to graduate ​to the next level. The 15-year boy can entertain and ⁠play match-winning knocks."

While Chawla opined, "If he plays ​like that, I would love to see him fast-tracked," the ​former leg-spinner told ESPNcricinfo website. Over the last year, in Under-19, domestic...whatever he has played, he went there and he scored hundreds. And it's not only hundreds, he scored big hundreds."

However, such a decision is easier said than done. With a host of strong competitors vying for a place in India's T20I setup and add that the current team itself is one of the strongest, Sooryavanshi's entry might not be that straight forward.

Former India international ambati Rayudu feels breaking into ⁠a T20 squad, which successfully defended their World Cup title earlier this month, would not be an easy task for the teenage opener.

"Don't forget, our Indian team ​is a world champion team. It's won the T20 World Cup. So to replace somebody in that side is not easy," Rayudu had said during a show in ESPN Cricinfo.

"To me, there are a few players ahead of him at the moment, because you tend to pick and build your teams ahead of the next ICC competition."

Former India cricketter R Ashwin also felt that fast-tracking Sooryavanshi might not be a necessity as the youngster has age on his side.

He is too good to not play for India. He will play anyway eventually. When will he play? For that, we might have to wait a bit. Why are we always in a hurry?” Ashwin had said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

For now though, an India debut remains a possibility, and his start in IPL 2026 has brought it closer. But not to forget, more than half of this season still remains, and with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya and even Shubman Gill, the 15-year-old still faces competition for that India spot.

Sooryavanshi has recorded several crucial innings this season in IPL, including 78 off 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 52 off 17 against Chennai Super Kings, and 39 off 14 against Mumbai Indians.

His performances have come against bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood.

Earlier, he was also part of India’s Under-19 World Cup campaign.

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