Mohammad Kaif urges Ajit Agarkar to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an ODI call-up aft – Mohammad Kaif Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India ODI Call-Up After Record-Breaking IPL 2026
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A Star is Born: The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has officially introduced a new generational talent to the global cricketing stage. At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, representing the Rajasthan Royals, has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike with a brand of cricket defined by sheer fearlessness and raw power. As he continues to dismantle world-class bowling attacks, the conversation has shifted from his potential to his immediate readiness for the Indian national team.
A Historic Eliminator Performance
The pinnacle of Sooryavanshi’s season arrived on Wednesday, May 27, during the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh. Facing the pressure of a knockout game, the teenager played an innings that defied his age. Scoring a staggering 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, he completely neutralized the SRH bowling unit. His display featured 12 mammoth sixes and five boundaries, leaving spectators and commentators in awe of his clinical ball-striking ability.
This performance was not merely a display of talent; it was a rewriting of the record books. With this knock, Sooryavanshi officially broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for the most sixes in a single season. While Gayle famously hit 59 sixes in the 2012 season, the young Rajasthan Royals star has surpassed that milestone, reaching 65 sixes and counting in the 2026 tournament.
Mohammad Kaif’s Bold Endorsement
Recognizing the gravity of this talent, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has publicly urged chief selector Ajit Agarkar to fast-track the youngster into the national setup. Kaif, known for his keen eye for young talent, believes that Sooryavanshi is not just a T20 specialist but is also fully prepared to handle the demands of the 50-over ODI format.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can play two formats right now. ODI and T20. He can play ODI as well. He will also hit a lot of sixes in the first 10 overs in ODIs. So, I am looking at ODI, where 5 fielders are always up. And it doesn’t matter if the fielder is up. He is hitting long sixes,” Kaif remarked in a recent video analysis.
Changing the Old-School Perspective
Kaif admitted that watching Sooryavanshi has forced him to reconsider his traditionally cautious views on inducting teenagers into the international fold. “I am looking at two formats. And I am saying this because I am an old-school guy. When I was coaching or was the captain for the team, I was against giving young players a chance so soon. I said, keep him for a year or two. He will see. He will sit in the dugout. He will learn a bit. But the way Vaibhav is playing, I have to change my thinking and words,” he explained.
Fearless Against Elite Competition
What sets Sooryavanshi apart from other young talents is his refusal to be intimidated by established bowling legends. Throughout the 2026 season, he has accumulated 680 runs, frequently taking the attack to the world’s finest bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His ability to maintain composure and execute aggressive shots against such high-caliber opposition has convinced many that he is a rare find.
As Rajasthan Royals move into Qualifier 2 to face the Gujarat Titans, all eyes remain fixed on the teenager. Whether or not an international call-up follows immediately, one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has fundamentally changed the landscape of Indian batting talent, leaving the cricketing fraternity eager to see what he achieves next.
