Should 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be fast-tracked in the Indian Test team setup, and what will his future be in red-ball cricket? This has been a compelling question on which many fans and experts have given their opinions on. The latest on this list is former India batsman Ajinkya Rahane.
Rahane, who retired recently from all forms of the game, appeared on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, joining Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Phil Tufnell, and David “Bumble” Lloyd in a lengthy discussion on his cricket career and other things around the game.
Rahane was quizzed by Vaughan if and when Sooryavanshi could make his Test debut.
Sooryavanshi has become a household name not only in India but also in the worldwide cricket fanbase through his exploits in the IPL over the last two seasons, which prompted a debut in T20Is last month for the teenager. Many fans have even called for his inclusion in the ODI setup as Team India prepares for the 2027 World Cup.
Meanwhile, everyone is also excited to see the southpaw in the Indian Test jersey someday, drooling at the things he could achieve in Test cricket.
Rahane, though, reckons Sooryavanshi and the people around him should be cautious.
Rahane said, “It’s tough to say right now [on when Sooryavanshi could play Test cricket]. I don’t want to probably say and put pressure on that young kid. Already people are talking a lot about him.”
Rahane says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s family should “keep him disciplined”
The 38-year-old also suggested Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be wary of the difference in challenges between IPL and international cricket. Rahane also advised Sooryavanshi to receive sound guidance from his family.
“It’s been two IPL seasons for him. What I realised is IPL is different and international cricket is completely different. The pressure when you are representing your country. For example, chasing 70 runs in the IPL in 4-5 overs is easy, but chasing the same amount of runs in international cricket is different.
So let him just play his game; let him grow. What he needs at the moment is right guidance. The first thing is family is really important and needs to understand what is important for him. Nowadays you see a lot of glam and fame; you travel and have many people around you. Family needs to be really strong and tell him what is important, tell him the road for the next five years down the line, and keep him disciplined,” Rahane concluded.
What is Sooryavanshi’s first-class record?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has an ordinary first-class record: in 8 FC matches, he’s scored 207 runs at an average of 17 with only one half-century. His last FC game, however, was in November 2025, when he hadn’t even made his IPL debut.
Sooryavanshi has now been made the vice-captain of the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy 2026 tournament.
Manish Vardhan, Jharkhand’s representative on the East Zone selection committee, told Cricinfo on Vaibhav’s appointment as the East Zone vice-captain: “We are not thinking about the present alone. We wanted Vaibhav to be more involved with the group because we think it will help him as he develops.”
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