Sangakkara on Sooryavanshi: ‘I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soo – Kumar Sangakkara Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for International Call-Up
The Rise of a New Star
In the high-pressure cauldron of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to capture the imagination of the cricketing world as effectively as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After a breathtaking performance throughout the 2026 season, the young prodigy has garnered immense praise from Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara. With his exceptional technique and maturity beyond his years, the Sri Lankan legend believes Sooryavanshi is more than ready for the international stage.
A Season of Statistical Brilliance
Sooryavanshi’s impact on the IPL 2026 season was nothing short of historic. Accumulating 776 runs in just 16 innings at a blistering strike rate of 237.30, he established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Remarkably, 684 of those runs came from boundaries alone, highlighting his aggressive intent and ability to clear the ropes with ease. Reflecting on these numbers, Sangakkara noted that the teenager has consistently performed against the world’s best bowlers, proving he possesses the temperament to handle any challenge.
Composure Under Pressure
The true test of a young cricketer often lies in their reaction to adversity. During the Qualifier 2 clash against the Gujarat Titans on a tricky, two-paced track in New Chandigarh, Sooryavanshi faced a hostile barrage of short-pitched deliveries from GT’s tall fast bowlers. Despite wickets falling at the other end, the 15-year-old showcased brilliant game-management skills, scoring a gritty 96 off 47 balls. Sangakkara lauded this performance, citing the youngster’s clarity of mind and composure as his greatest assets.
“We don’t clutter his mind too much,” Sangakkara explained regarding the team’s strategy for managing the young star. “He comes to all our team meetings, he contributes, he listens, and he does a lot of homework. He practises well and he reads bowlers well. We don’t want to put any unnecessary thoughts into his head. A clear mind and batting with courage is exactly what we want to see.”
Building for the Future
The Rajasthan Royals faced significant hurdles throughout the 2026 campaign, including injuries to key personnel like Sam Curran, Riyan Parag, and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to reach the playoffs, a feat that drew deep admiration from their coach. Sangakkara highlighted the contributions of rookie bowlers Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punja, who seamlessly integrated into the squad, as well as the unwavering efforts of stalwarts like Dhruv Jurel and Jofra Archer.
“I think everyone should be extremely proud of themselves,” Sangakkara said. “From where we were last season—sitting at ninth—to have reached this stage is a testament to the group’s hard work. These players are highly skilled, and they played with immense heart throughout the tournament.”
Leadership and Legacy
The 2026 season also marked Riyan Parag’s first full term as captain, a role in which he exceeded expectations according to his coach. Sangakkara praised Parag’s on-field decision-making and predicted that both the captain and the squad would only grow stronger with time. As the dust settles on the season, the focus shifts toward the potential international debut of Sooryavanshi. With a mentor like Sangakkara in his corner, the young sensation seems destined to make his mark on the global stage sooner rather than later. The message is clear: while the team fell short of the final this year, the foundation for future success is firmly in place, built on the brilliance of young talents and the resilience of a unified squad.
