Irfan Pathan Urges BCCI to Cap 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Stunning IPL 2026 Performance
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has called on the BCCI selectors to immediately hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his India cap following the 15-year-old’s remarkable display for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
Sooryavanshi lit up the 11-over match with a blistering 39 off just 14 balls, including two massive sixes against star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. His fearless batting left both fans and experts astounded, prompting Pathan to hail the youngster as “destiny’s child.”
“What he is doing at 15 in white-ball cricket—I don’t think we have ever seen anyone do this,” Pathan remarked during a YouTube segment. He highlighted how Sooryavanshi seemed to have been waiting for this moment, particularly to face Bumrah. “This 15-year-old wonder kid says: ‘I am waiting for Jasprit Bumrah. I got out to him last year. I will come this year and hit him.’ And he hit Bumrah on the very first ball.”
Pathan also praised the young player’s aggressive approach, noting how it unsettled one of India’s finest bowlers. “The way Bumrah had no visible plans, the way he moved to the slower one—Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has forced even Bumrah to think. In white-ball cricket, India has not found a bowler like Bumrah; he is a GOAT. And this feat has been achieved against him.”
Calling for immediate action, Pathan urged selectors not to delay in integrating Sooryavanshi into the Indian team setup. “Don’t make this boy wait too long. Give him the Indian team cap. Imagine—this boy can play 20 years of professional cricket. This is scary for bowlers,” he added.
The teenager’s performance has sparked nationwide excitement, with fans and cricket experts alike calling for the young prodigy to be fast-tracked into international cricket. With his fearless batting and composure beyond his years, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is quickly emerging as one of India’s most exciting cricketing prospects.
