14-Year-Old star Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to dominate Under-19 Cricket—Should he make the leap to International Cricket?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to make headlines post his exploits in Indian Premier League 2025. In the ongoing five-match Youth ODI series against England U-19s, Suryavanshi has made scores of 48, 45, and 86 in three games so far. He aggregated 179 runs at the average of 59.66 with a strike rate of 213. His most destructive innings was the 86 runs off just 31 balls with six boundaries and nine maximums in the third game.
This follows his performance in IPL 2025 where he became the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket at just 14 years when he made 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. He showed no fear when he took on international bowlers such as Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna and cracked 11 sixes and 7 fours during the knock. That innings catapulted him to instant success.
However, Suryavanshi has proven that the knock was not a fluke as he continues to show consistency with the bat while brandishing his aggressive brand of strokeplay. So, should one consider that Suryavanshi is ready for international cricket and must be fast-tracked to India’s limited-overs setup?
Young and inexperience
Critics may argue that Suryavanshi is too young to be moved to the international level. Besides, he has not played much domestic cricket to be pushed to the biggest stage. For the record, Suryavanshi has just played five First-Class matches for Bihar, aggregating just 100 runs. But he has made heads turn with his performances in limited-overs cricket. He has scored 265 runs at an average of 33.12 with a strike rate of 207.03 in eight T20s with one ton and one fifty. In six List A games, he has made 132 runs at an average 22 with one fifty.
Read More: Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes second-fastest IPL ton: Breakdown of a blitzkrieg
Ability to impact games
Suryavanshi does not have much playing experience to his name, but the teenager has shown great form with the bat. His batting technique is compact, if not flawless. He generates power with his bat swing that helps him send the ball outside the boundary ropes consistently. He is fearless and skilful as he has shown he can destroy any bowling attack or any bowler’s reputation with his shotmaking. His shots against Gujarat trio of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishant Sharma were a treat to watch during his century in IPL 2025.
If Suryavanshi remains consistent with his batting exploits, while maintaining his focus and not getting distracted by non-cricketing commitments, Suryavanshi could go on to play for India in limited-overs cricket sooner than expected.
Some of the legendary cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar started as early as 16, and went on to serve Indian cricket for more than two decades. Suryavanshi does not have to look far for inspiration as the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have risen in the ranks to top cricketers with their exploits with the bat early in their career when they were still teenagers.
So, should Suryavanshi be handed limited-overs debut?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi could be thrown directly into the ring, and let his fighting abilities take over. If it wasn’t for his IPL debut at 14, the world would not have known a talent like him. Remember, the likes of Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli were given opportunities when they were still teenagers and they made an instant impact and impression.
Suryavanshi could be moved to international cricket and encouraged to play his natural game. He could bat up the order to exploit the powerplay, while senior players bat lower down the line-up to give the youngster more balls to turn around the game, and seize the momentum.
Read More: Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 13-year-old sensation to slam a ton in Youth Tests
