Actor and MP Kangana Ranaut took to social media to congratulate 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the teenage batter earned his first senior India call-up. Her post, carrying the message “World Cup Lao Yaar,” came after the BCCI announced squads for India’s upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England, as well as the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Ranaut is not the only one watching. Sooryavanshi’s selection has triggered a wave of reactions from across Indian cricket and public life.
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A historic call-up at 15
Sooryavanshi, at 15, has been selected for the Indian cricket team for tours of Ireland, England, and the Asian Games, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record as the youngest India player.
Tendulkar had made his India debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16, setting a record that stood for a very long time.
The 15-year-old is selected in India’s T20 team for Ireland and England tours along with Asian Games in Japan. Sooryavanshi is currently in Sri Lanka playing for India A in the tri-nation series.
If he plays a game during the tour, he will become the youngest player ever to represent India’s senior men’s side.
What he did to earn the call
Sooryavanshi had a historic IPL 2026 season. He scored 776 runs in just 16 matches at a strike rate of 237. He also rewrote the record books by smashing 72 sixes in the season, surpassing Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes.
The Bihar-born sensation spearheaded a clean sweep at the tournament’s post-season awards, capturing Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, the Orange Cap, and Super Sixes of the Season. It was the first time in IPL history that a single player won five individual honours in one edition.
At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi wrapped up an IPL season that left the cricketing world short of words. Measured and grounded despite the noise around him, he reflected on a campaign driven by personal goals, quiet discipline, and a hunger that goes well beyond T20 cricket.
The road that led here
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was born on 27 March 2011 in Samastipur, Bihar. He is a left-handed top-order batter who plays for Bihar in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He made his first-class debut in January 2024.
In November 2025, he scored 144 runs off just 42 balls playing for India A against the UAE in the Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 match. He scored his century off just 32 balls.
His biggest moment before the IPL came in February 2026. In the final of the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Vaibhav scored 175 runs off 80 balls against England. Skipper Ayush Mhatre contributed a crucial 53, while Abhigyan Kundu added 40, guiding India to a total of 411 for nine. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
Chasing India’s imposing target of 412, England were bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs. India won the U19 World Cup for a record sixth time.
After that victory, Sooryavanshi told interviewers that representing the senior India team at a World Cup remained his ultimate goal.
Squad changes around him
Sooryavanshi’s selection was not the only talking point from the BCCI’s announcement.
The BCCI named Shreyas Iyer as India’s new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav despite the latter leading the side to a historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also became the first team to achieve the feat on home soil.
Suryakumar, who endured a difficult IPL 2026 campaign with the Mumbai Indians, responded positively to the developments. Sharing a picture of India’s squad for the England tour on his Instagram story, the 35-year-old wrote: “Wishing this highly skilled group all the best for the challenges ahead.”
Suryakumar also reserved special praise for Sooryavanshi. Sharing a photograph of the youngster, he wrote: “You have earned it and How. Super excited to follow your journey.”
Officials and legends react
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla called Sooryavanshi’s selection a “significant milestone” and said expectations are high that he will go far on the international stage.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also congratulated the teenager on his historic achievement, calling him the youngest cricketer ever selected for Team India.
Bihar Cricket Association President Harsh Vardhan described the selection as a historic achievement for Bihar cricket. He said Vaibhav’s success reflects his individual talent and dedication, as well as the continuous growth of cricket in Bihar. He expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi will make a significant impact on the Indian team and continue to bring pride to both the country and Bihar.
What’s next
The BCCI selectors picked T20I squads for a two-match series against Ireland starting June 26. It’s a five-match series against England in July, and the Asian Games in Japan in September.
Sooryavanshi is currently in Sri Lanka playing for India A in a tri-nation series starting from June 9 in Dambulla. That assignment comes before his senior debut window opens.
The T20I series against Ireland will be India’s first outing under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Sooryavanshi’s potential debut will be the biggest individual storyline to track across the summer.