Mohammad Kaif urges Ajit Agarkar to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an ODI call-up aft – Mohammad Kaif Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India ODI Call-Up After IPL 2026 Heroics
A New Star Emerges: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League has introduced the world to a generational talent: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15 years old, the Rajasthan Royals prodigy has taken the tournament by storm, playing with a level of fearlessness that defies his age. While pundits often urge caution with young players, Sooryavanshi’s performances have been impossible to ignore, leading to widespread speculation that he is the next great superstar of Indian cricket.
The Eliminator Masterclass
Sooryavanshi’s impact was never more evident than in the IPL 2026 Eliminator match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh. Facing a high-stakes scenario, the teenager dismantled the SRH bowling attack with clinical precision. In a breathtaking knock, he smashed 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, a performance that left fans and experts alike stunned. His innings included 12 towering sixes and five boundaries, essentially taking the game away from the opposition single-handedly.
This performance wasn’t just a display of power; it was a record-breaking event. By hitting his 65th six of the season, Sooryavanshi surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record of 59 sixes set in 2012. With Rajasthan Royals securing a 47-run victory and advancing to Qualifier 2, the youngster has established himself as the engine room of the team’s championship aspirations.
Mohammad Kaif’s Bold Endorsement
The buzz surrounding the youngster has caught the attention of former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif, who believes the time for a national call-up is now. Departing from the traditional school of thought, Kaif has explicitly urged Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar to consider Sooryavanshi for both T20I and ODI formats immediately.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can play two formats right now. ODI and T20. He can play ODI as well,” Kaif stated in a recent analysis. “He will also hit a lot of sixes in the first 10 overs in ODIs. So, I am looking at the ODI format, where five fielders are always up. It doesn’t matter if the fielder is up; he is hitting long sixes.”
Changing the Old-School Paradigm
Kaif, who describes himself as an “old-school” thinker, admitted that Sooryavanshi’s performance has forced him to reconsider his stance on integrating young players into the international fold. Historically, the former India star preferred a slow-burn approach, where youngsters would sit in the dugout for a year or two to learn the ropes of professional cricket.
“When I was coaching or was the captain, I was against giving young players a chance so soon. I said, keep him for a year or two. He will see. He will sit in the dugout. He will learn a bit. But the way Vaibhav is playing, I have to change my thinking and words,” Kaif admitted.
Fearless Against Elite Talent
What sets Sooryavanshi apart is his total lack of intimidation when facing world-class bowlers. Throughout the 2026 season, he has amassed 680 runs, showing no hesitation in attacking the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. According to Kaif, this specific trait—the ability to take on the best in the world without a hint of nerves—is what marks him as an international-ready player.
As the cricket fraternity looks toward the future, the prospect of seeing Sooryavanshi in the blue jersey of India is becoming an increasingly popular conversation. Whether the selectors decide to fast-track him into the squad or allow him more domestic seasoning remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not just a talent for the future; he is a force to be reckoned with right now.
