Mumbai: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has called for patience and careful handling of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently received his maiden call-up to the Indian national cricket team. The 15-year-old batting prodigy, who has taken the cricketing world by storm with his explosive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, has been selected for India’s upcoming international assignments, becoming the youngest player ever chosen for the senior men’s team. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Ganguly emphasized that while Sooryavanshi’s talent is undeniable, expectations must be managed. “We should let him be… the pressure of playing for India is different,” Ganguly said, highlighting the stark contrast between franchise cricket and international competition.
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Sooryavanshi’s selection comes on the back of a sensational IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, where he amassed 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate above 230 and smashed a record number of sixes. His performances earned him multiple accolades, including the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards. The young batter has already drawn comparisons with some of India’s greatest cricketers, but Ganguly warned against placing undue pressure on him so early in his career. He stressed that the transition to international cricket can be challenging, especially for someone so young, and that the focus should remain on long-term development rather than immediate success.
Sooryavanshi is expected to feature in India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, where all eyes will be on the teenager as he prepares to make his potential debut on the global stage. Cricket experts and fans alike have hailed the youngster as one of the brightest prospects in recent years. However, Ganguly’s message serves as a reminder that nurturing talent with patience and support is crucial to ensuring sustained success. As India prepares for a packed international calendar, the spotlight will firmly remain on Sooryavanshi — not just for what he achieves now, but for what he could become in the years ahead.
