Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Indian cricket team, has advised that the young batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should exercise patience as he awaits his chances in the national squad.
The 15-year-old has shown remarkable talent, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but Iyer believes there is no rush for him to join the team immediately.
“It’s crucial for a talent like him to feel content in the dressing room. He is still very young and has many years ahead to secure his place. Our current openers are performing well and have even won the World Cup,” Iyer stated during a press briefing prior to the first T20I at Hagley Oval.
Sooryavanshi’s Rising Profile
Sooryavanshi, who debuted internationally for India in July, has garnered significant attention due to his aggressive batting style. Despite his IPL success, he has had limited opportunities against top-tier teams. He made his IPL debut in 2025 at just 14 years and 23 days old, quickly following it up with his first century just nine days later.
In his eight T20 international matches, Sooryavanshi has accumulated 246 runs, averaging 30.75 with a striking rate of 186.36, including two half-centuries. His IPL statistics are even more impressive, boasting an average of 44 and a strike rate nearing 229.
Facing Established Competition
India’s current opening batsmen, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, have been consistently performing. Since July, Samson has maintained an average of 25 with a strike rate of 172, while Abhishek has averaged 30 at a strike rate of 200.
Learning Experience in New Zealand
Iyer is optimistic that the ongoing tour of New Zealand will serve as a valuable learning experience for Sooryavanshi, regardless of his match participation. “When he plays overseas, he will gain insights on how to adapt to these specific pitches. This experience will prepare him better for future matches in similar conditions, and he can also guide other newcomers,” Iyer remarked.
India’s Tour Details
India has arrived in New Zealand for a 40-day tour that includes five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches, commemorating a century of sporting relations between the two nations.
The T20I series kicks off at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, with Sooryavanshi among the players available for selection as India gears up to face New Zealand in conditions conducive to aggressive batting.
The team has welcomed back seasoned bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar after a four-year hiatus from T20Is, while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for workload management following his participation in India’s gold medal win at the Asian Games in Japan.
On the other hand, New Zealand will miss players Will O’Rourke, Mark Chapman, and Zak Foulkes for the T20I series. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner have been added to the squad as replacements. The hosts will rely on Finn Allen and Tim Seifert to deliver explosive starts as they prepare to challenge the reigning T20 world champions.