Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tipped for India T20 call-up as captaincy change looms

ISLAMABAD: India’s selectors are expected to consider 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a first Twenty20 International call-up when they meet on Saturday, while a change in leadership could also be on the cards, according to reports.

Sooryavanshi impressed in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals, where he finished with 776 runs, including one century and five half-centuries. The left-hander is being tipped for selection for two T20 matches in Ireland and a subsequent five-match series in England. If picked and played, he would become India’s youngest debutant.

ESPNcricinfo said the teenager’s performances and temperament had strengthened his case for international selection. "The manner in which 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshismashed bowling attacks in his first full IPL season, and the way in which he responded to match situations, have convinced the selectors that he needs to be given the opportunity to play T20Is"

Indian media have also reported that Sooryavanshi has been included in a 30-member list of probables for the Asian Games to be held in Japan in September and October. He was named the IPL’s most valuable player and also collected the Orange Cap after ending the season as the leading run-scorer. He was also chosen as the emerging player of the season, even though Rajasthan Royals narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

Leadership uncertainty in T20 side

India’s T20 setup could undergo a leadership shift, with Suryakumar Yadav likely to be removed as captain less than three months after leading the side to World Cup success at home. His batting returns have also come under scrutiny. In the World Cup, he made 242 runs in nine innings, with an unbeaten 84 against the United States his only major contribution.

His IPL campaign with Mumbai Indians was also below expectations, as he scored 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76. Mumbai Indians finished ninth in the 10-team standings. Indian media reports have suggested he could also lose his place in the T20 squad, with insiders describing the decision as a tough call.

Shreyas Iyer is being mentioned as a possible replacement. He has not played a T20 for India since December 2023, but he has led Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title and then captained Punjab Kings to a runners-up finish in 2025 as well as a place in this year’s playoffs. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma are also reported to be in contention for the captaincy.

Pant told to stick to natural game

India coach Gautam Gambhir also spoke on Friday about Rishabh Pant, who was removed as vice-captain for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. KL Rahul has been named deputy to captain Shubman Gill for the match, which starts on Saturday in New Chandigarh.

Pant has scored 3,476 runs at an average of 42.91 in 49 Test matches since making his debut in England in August 2018. But the 28-year-old stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain last week after the side finished last in the IPL. He scored 312 runs in 14 innings in this year’s tournament at a strike rate of 138.05.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the Test, Gambhir said players should focus first on representing the country. "The responsibility is to play for India -- the rest, everything else, is a by-product"

He added:

When you start playing for India, you don't think about being a vice-captain. You think about doing good for India.

Gambhir also said India would not ask Pant to abandon his usual approach, but stressed the need to adapt to the demands of international cricket. "We will not tell him to 'curb your game', but in international cricket, it is very important to play the situation, to read the situation"