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 IPL 2026 Heroics

The Rise of a New Indian Cricket Superstar

The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has unearthed a generational talent in the form of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15 years of age, this Rajasthan Royals teenage sensation has captivated the cricket world, displaying a brand of fearless batting that rarely appears in athletes so young. As he continues to dismantle bowling attacks and rewrite record books, the discourse surrounding his immediate future in international cricket is reaching a fever pitch.

A Historic Knock in the IPL 2026 Eliminator

On Wednesday, May 27, Sooryavanshi delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. During the IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh, the youngster produced a breathtaking 97 runs off just 29 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power hitting, leaving the SRH bowling lineup completely bewildered. During this onslaught, he struck 12 mammoth sixes and five boundaries, asserting his dominance over professional world-class bowlers.

This performance was not merely a display of raw power; it was a record-breaking event. By reaching 65 sixes in the current season, Sooryavanshi surpassed the legendary Chris Gayle’s 2012 record of 59 sixes in a single IPL campaign. Following his heroics, the Rajasthan Royals secured a 47-run victory, propelling them into Qualifier 2 to face the Gujarat Titans.

Mohammad Kaif Advocates for an ODI Call-Up

The impact of Sooryavanshi’s performance has been so profound that former India batter Mohammad Kaif has publicly urged chief selector Ajit Agarkar to consider the teenager for the national team. Kaif’s endorsement is particularly significant because he suggests that the youngster is already equipped for both T20I and ODI formats.

Kaif elaborated on his stance, highlighting how the powerplay field restrictions in ODIs would only amplify Sooryavanshi’s ability to clear the boundary. “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 noted in a recent discussion.

Changing the Old-School Perspective

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Kaif’s endorsement is his admission that Sooryavanshi’s talent has forced him to reconsider his own coaching philosophy. As a self-described “old-school” cricketer, Kaif previously favored a cautious approach for young players, believing they required time in the dugout to acclimatize to the professional environment. However, the sheer audacity of the teenager’s play has changed his perspective.

“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,” Kaif admitted.

Fearlessness Against Elite Bowlers

What sets Sooryavanshi apart is not just his run tally—which stands at an impressive 680 runs this season—but his refusal to be intimidated by established bowling giants. Throughout the tournament, the youngster has taken the attack to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with unwavering confidence.

“You see, he is not leaving any bowler, whether it is Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, or Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Kaif remarked, emphasizing that such fearlessness is the hallmark of a player truly ready for the international stage. As the cricketing fraternity watches his progress with bated breath, one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not just a talent for the future; he is a force to be reckoned with right now.