“Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India

A Rising Star Under the Spotlight

The cricketing world has been left mesmerized by the meteoric rise of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While his exploits in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) have made headlines globally, his talent was identified long before he became a household name. Recently, Indian star Sarfaraz Khan shed light on the immense potential of the young batter, confidently stating that “Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India.

Early Signs of Brilliance

Sarfaraz Khan, speaking on the sidelines of a recent promotional event, reminisced about his first encounter with the young prodigy. Their paths first crossed in January 2024 during a Ranji Trophy fixture between Mumbai and Bihar. Sooryavanshi, then only 12 years and 284 days old, became the youngest player to make a First-Class debut in over six decades. Despite the high-pressure environment, Sarfaraz noted that the youngster displayed remarkable technical skill even at such a tender age.

“He is a very good friend of mine, and we stay in touch,” Sarfaraz remarked. “I first saw him during that Ranji debut, and even then, I could see that he had great skill.” This early observation was not a fleeting thought; it was a firm belief that Sooryavanshi possessed the foundation to succeed at the highest levels of professional cricket.

The Versatility to Dominate

When questioned about whether the teenager could translate his white-ball dominance into long-format success, Sarfaraz was unequivocal. He emphasized that the young batter is not just a T20 specialist, stating, “He can play both red-ball and white-ball cricket.” This versatility is a rare trait for a player who has already demonstrated such explosive power in the shortest format.

Sooryavanshi’s journey through the age groups has been nothing short of extraordinary. Earlier this year, he played a pivotal role in India’s Under-19 World Cup victory, where he shone as the second-highest run-getter. His masterclass performance in the final—a blistering 175 off 80 balls against England—signaled to the world that he was ready for the big stage. His record-breaking spree continued in September 2024, when he struck one of the fastest centuries ever recorded in Youth Test cricket at just 13 years old.

Record-Breaking IPL 2026 Season

The 2026 IPL season has served as the ultimate coming-of-age party for Sooryavanshi. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, he finished the campaign with a staggering 776 runs in 16 matches, securing the Orange Cap. His statistics are staggering: an average of 48.50 accompanied by a jaw-dropping strike rate of 237. Furthermore, he set a new benchmark by hitting 72 sixes, the most by any batter in a single IPL season.

Even in his team’s final exit against the Gujarat Titans, where the Royals failed to defend 214, Sooryavanshi stood tall, scoring a heroic 96 off 47 balls. It was a performance that encapsulated his fighting spirit and ability to anchor an innings under immense pressure.

Mindset and Work Ethic

Beyond the statistics, Sarfaraz Khan believes that what truly separates Sooryavanshi from his peers is his internal drive. “His mindset and preparation are different,” Sarfaraz explained. “Anyone can succeed with hard work, but he has worked extremely hard on his game.”

This dedication was evident in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2025, where he smashed a 36-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh and followed it up with the fastest 150 in List-A history, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls. As the cricket fraternity continues to debate his potential inclusion in the national squad, one thing remains clear: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not just a temporary phenomenon, but a player with the temperament and skill to define the future of Indian cricket.