Sooryavanshi targeting Test cricket? Young batter’s conversation with Gavaskar c

The Rise of a New Prodigy

The 2026 Indian Premier League season concluded with a fairytale finish as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the title. However, the true narrative of the tournament was written by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As the highest run-getter and the recipient of numerous individual accolades, the young batter became the talk of the cricketing world, proving that age is merely a number when talent is this immense.

The Conversation with a Legend

Following the conclusion of the final in Ahmedabad, a pivotal moment occurred. The young prodigy was spotted in deep conversation with Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar. The discussion touched upon the youngster’s evolution beyond the shortest format of the game. When asked if he was shifting his focus toward ground strokes, Sooryavanshi offered a revealing insight into his preparation.

“Yes, I am because next is an ODI assignment. Also, I am practicing with the red ball; until now, no one has seen me do that, but pretty soon everyone will,” Sooryavanshi stated. This declaration marks a significant shift for a player who dominated the headlines for his T20 prowess.

Defining the T20 Mindset

Addressing his aggressive batting style, which saw him smash 72 sixes—surpassing the legendary record of 59 set by Chris Gayle in 2012—Sooryavanshi explained his approach. “Everyone thinks that I am just a player who loves to hit each ball. Since this is T20 cricket, coaches have given me the freedom, and my thought process is to hit the ball if it’s in my range; I don’t like to play lofted shots out of compulsion,” he clarified.

The Ultimate Dream: Test Cricket

Despite his meteoric rise in the T20 format, Sooryavanshi’s eyes are firmly set on the traditional game. He emphasized the importance of Test cricket, citing the influence of his family values. “I want to play Tests. My father always tells me that the ultimate format is the five-day game. I haven’t played much with the red ball, even though I have played in the Ranji Trophy, but I didn’t get too many chances. It was challenging, but I will continue to work on my game,” he added.

Endorsements from the Master Blaster

The young sensation has not gone unnoticed by the ultimate authority on batting, Sachin Tendulkar. During the Cricinfo honours show, Tendulkar expressed his admiration for the youngster while advocating for a cautious, supportive approach. “Exciting talent has to be encouraged. If he is doing well, we need to support him and let him enjoy his game without any pressure being put on him,” Tendulkar noted.

Tendulkar further added, “One cannot tell the selectors to pick a player for a certain format, because that is their job. With Ajit Agarkar sitting here, I have to be careful with my words, just like everybody else. Even I am excited to see Vaibhav play Test cricket at some stage, but I don’t know when.”

A Balanced Future

The road ahead for the Bihar-based batter is fraught with both expectation and opportunity. Transitioning from the high-octane environment of the IPL to the patience-testing arena of the Ranji Trophy and potential Test match cricket requires more than just raw hitting power. However, with the backing of legends like Gavaskar and Tendulkar, and a clear understanding of his own technical needs, Sooryavanshi appears to have the maturity to match his extraordinary skill. As he continues his transition to red-ball practice, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if this young star can become the next pillar of Indian Test cricket.