IPL 2026:Ian Bishop has thrown his weight behind teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the youngster looks ready to step up to international cricket and could soon earn an India T20I cap.The former West Indies pacer even included Sooryavanshi in his alternate India T20I XI, confidently slotting the 15-year-old in as an opening partner to Shubman Gill. In a notable call, Bishop went with the rising star ahead of his Rajasthan Royals teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlighting the buzz around Sooryavanshi’s fearless style and immense potential.
Vaibhav can debut soon for India
Reports indicate that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be on the verge of a much-awaited India debut during the T20I tour of Ireland in June. Even without an international cap yet, the teenager has already created significant hype thanks to his performances and maturity well beyond his age.
Ian Bishop supports Vaibhav
India’s strong bench in white-ball cricket gives selectors the luxury to nurture exceptional prospects with patience, and Sooryavanshi seems to fall right into that bracket. He has already offered flashes of top-level ability, and an early introduction to the international setup could fast-track his growth.Ian Bishop shared a similar view while discussing his picks on ESPNcricinfo’s ‘Quick Singles’.
“You can disagree if you want, but I’ve gone with three openers in my squad. I prefer having a left-right combination at the top. Shubman Gill is in good touch, so he’s in. The left-hander is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi . I believe he’s ready to move to the next level. I’ve also picked Prabhsimran Singh. Priyansh Arya was an option too, but Prabhsimran has looked in better form this season,” Bishop explained.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL Career
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi kicked off his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals in 2025 for ₹1 crore and made an instant impact by smashing a six off his first ball.In just 17 matches, he’s racked up 656 runs at a blazing strike rate of 224.89, including 2 tons and 3 fifties, with a top score of 103. He also holds the record as the fastest to 500 IPL runs, a clear sign he’s fast-tracking his way to the big stage.
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