Vaibhav Sooryavanshi picked himself: Spellbound selectors hand wonder kid T20I call-up

India chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that they were left spellbound by the abilities of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Agarkar explained that it was impossible to leave the youngster out of the T20I team after back to back incredible IPL seasons.

In Short

• India announced their T20I squad for future tournaments
• The BCCI rehauled the side despite T20 World Cup win
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, was called up to the Indian team

Spellbound Indian selectors had no other option than to pick 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian T20I team, revealed chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar on Saturday while announcing the squads for the Ireland and England bilateral series, and the Asian Games.

At 15, Vaibhav could become the youngest-ever player to debut for the Indian national team, beating legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record. Sachin played his first game for India at the age of 16 years and 207 days, a record that Vaibhav could comfortably beat later this year.

India T20 Squad Selection: As it Happened

SOORYAVANSHI PICKED HIMSELF: AGARKAR

Speaking at the press conference, Agarkar revealed that they were amazed by the 15-year-old's capability to carry an Indian Premier League team (Rajasthan Royals) almost single-handedly in the latter stages of the tournament.

"I think he has just picked himself, really," Agarkar told the media in Mumbai on Saturday, June 6.

"What do you say? We've seen what he can do. You saw even towards those playoffs, he almost single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals," he added.

It was high praise from the chairman of selectors, who knew well that the competition for the opening spot is cut-throat at the moment in the Indian team.

Agarkar called the kid special and said that what caught the eye of the selectors was Sooryavanshi's ability to cope with high-pressure environments.

"For a young kid, I don't need to talk about how well he's batting or how well he's playing. And it's not just this season. He obviously had a great start last season, and to back it up, for a young kid in a competition that's as competitive and as high-pressure an environment as this, is special," Agarkar said.

"How explosive he can be and the game-changer that he can be... we've, like everyone else who's watched cricket, or at least watched T20 cricket in India, got high hopes of him," he added.

INDIA'S FULL T20I SQUAD

Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

INDIA'S FULL SQUAD FOR ASIAN GAMES

Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

'VAIBHAV WILL WIN LOTS OF TROPHIES FOR INDIA'

It is expected that the Indian management will provide Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a chance in one of the bilateral series as they test out their options going into the Asian Games 2026. If Vaibhav makes his debut, he will become the youngest T20I player from India, beating Washington Sundar's record of 18 years and 80 days.

An elated father of the 15-year-old spoke to India Today after the squad announcement and said that the nation's prayers were with the young kid.

Vaibhav's father said that personal accolades aside, he believes that Vaibhav will win many trophies for India in the future.

AGARKAR ON VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI

India selector Ajit Agarkar was further pressed on Vaibhav. Asked if it was a straightforward selection, Agarkar reiterated that the kid had forced them to pick him.

"His performances have almost forced us to pick him. I know his age and how early it is in his career, but this is two IPL seasons in a row. We know what he did at Under-19 level and we've all seen the sort of talent he has," Agarkar said.

Vaibhav has been lighting it up at all levels of cricket for the last two years. After making his Ranji debut at the mere age of 12 years and 284 days, Vaibhav performed well in youth Tests and at the U19 World Cup. He tore up the record books with a breathtaking knock in the U19 World Cup final, smashing his way to 175 runs in just 80 balls.

Combined with two incredible IPL seasons, where he made six-hitting look like child's play, Vaibhav was brought into the national fold.

Agarkar acknowledged that there would be pressure when Vaibhav represents the national team, but said that he was hopeful of the kid doing well in the bilateral series overseas.

"There will obviously be tougher challenges when you play for your country, but he's shown great promise and temperament. Like everyone else, we're hopeful. His performances have picked him. There's a lot of talent around, especially in T20 cricket, but his performances made the decision for us," Agarkar concluded.

- Ends