NEW DELHI: The biggest question ahead of India’s first T20I against Ireland on Friday is whether teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his international debut.The 15-year-old has generated huge enthusiasm since being called up in the India squad, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if he gets an opportunity in the two-match series in Belfast.Adding to the anticipation, Vaibhav’s parents traveled to Northern Ireland and arrived at Team India’s hotel in Belfast. A video shared on social media showed them entering the hotel, fueling speculation that the youngster could be in line for a memorable debut.
A ‘dream come true’ for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Ahead of the series, Vaibhav spoke about the thrill of receiving his India jersey for the first time.“I mean, words cannot explain. The reason I picked up a bat from the first day and went to the cricket field for practice, today that dream has been fulfilled, and the biggest step in that journey has been fulfilled today. I can’t really put this feeling into words,” Vaibhav said in a BCCI video.The teenager admitted he struggled to process the moment he first saw the India jersey.“It felt like a dream. The moment I saw that T-shirt, I couldn’t stop smiling. Sometimes, something happens that you never even imagined could happen, and when finally, you don’t know how to react. It was exactly how I felt,” he added.
Record rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav recently became the youngest player ever to be selected for the Indian men’s team, breaking a record that had stood for 36 years. The previous record belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut at the age of 16 in 1989.The rapid rise of the Bihar batting has been one of the biggest stories in Indian cricket this year.A few days before joining the national team, Vaibhav produced another stunning performance in India A colours. In the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on June 21, he made 94 runs off just 29 balls.During that innings, he reached his half-century in just 11 deliveries, setting a new List A world record for the fastest fifty. The previous mark was a 12-ball half-century by Kaushalya Weeraratne of Sri Lanka.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: India’s hopeful IPL hero
Vaibhav earned his first India call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. He finished as the highest run scorer of the tournament with 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30.The youngster also hit a record 72 sixes and swept several major awards, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes honours.With India set to play T20I series against Ireland and England in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the team selection in Belfast. If selected, Vaibhav will take another giant step in a journey that has already captured the imagination of cricket fans across the country.
