Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Samastipur, Bihar, earned a spot among 35 players shortlisted for India’s upcoming T20I series in Ireland, marking a potential record-breaking moment in Indian cricket.
The left-handed batter, currently shining for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 season, could become the youngest Indian to play international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 37-year-old record. The national selectors included him in the list of T20 specialists for the two-match series scheduled in Belfast this June.
Sources within the BCCI confirmed that Sooryavanshi’s name was added to the visa list for Ireland, as the team’s first port of entry will be Dublin. The selection committee believes he is ready for international cricket but faces tough competition from established players like Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Selectors are evaluating whether his debut will occur in Ireland, Zimbabwe, or during the Asian Games in Japan. A senior BCCI official stated that Sooryavanshi’s inclusion depends on balancing experience and opportunity within the squad.
If selected, the young prodigy will represent a new generation of Indian cricket talent, blending youthful energy with technical precision. His rise from Bihar’s domestic circuit to the IPL spotlight underscores India’s expanding talent pool beyond traditional cricketing hubs.
