New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s performance should take precedence over his age while being considered for a potential India call-up, feels former opener Shikhar Dhawan.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has scored 400 runs in only 167 balls in nine matches of IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, at an average of 44.44 and a strike rate over 200.
He is widely reported to receive his maiden call-up to the Indian team for their UK white-ball series and break Sachin Tendulkar’s record to be the youngest to play for India.
Dhawan said Sooryavanshi has shown his mettle though securing a permament place after breaking into the top order could take a while, pointing out his own long stint alongside Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“If Vaibhav is doing brilliantly at the senior level then that has to be counted and not his age. Yes he is a kid but its astonishing the way he hits Bumrah and Arshdeep for such huge sixes,” Dhawan told PTI.
“A lot of big guns haven’t done what he has at such small age. Obviously his time will come. It’s bound to come. Look if top order is doing well you can’t readily replace them.
“When me, Rohit and Virat were playing, we nearly played for a decade and it wasn’t easy to replace us. It is up to the individual how they take it.
“It can pinch you a bit but one shouldn’t be disheartened if the chance doesnt come along readily. Vaibhav has so much blessings at this young age,” he added.
‘RO-KO good eough’
Towards the end of his career, Dhawan became a one-format player for the country, as he was picked only for the ODIs, similar to Rohit and Kohli’s situation.
From his own experience, he points out that it affects rhythm of a batter due to lack of match frequency though Rohit and Kohli are experienced enough to tackle it.
“Yes, when you play one format at the international level, your flow does get disrupted. So players focus on fitness because you are not playing too many games.
“You are talking about Rohit and Virat and they are matured individuals. It is a challenge but they know how to convert challenge into an opportunity. If you look at their fitness, Virat was always fit but Rohit has undergone tremendous transformation,” the former left handed batter added.
“Now with 2027 WC round the corner, they will get to play a lot of ODI matches. If you look at the time when I became a one format player, there were back to back T20 World Cups (2021 and 22) and I was playing ODIs which were few and far between.
” So matches wont be a problem for Rohit and Virat and there’s enough time for the event.”