Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his debut in the first T20I against Ireland at Belfast on Friday. Kaif wants Sooryavanshi to get his chance after he impressed one and all in IPL 2026.
Kaif suggested that Sooryavanshi can open the innings with Sanju Samson whereas Abhishek Sharma can bat at one drop. Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi, 15, earned his maiden India T20I call-up after scoring 776 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2026 at a blistering strike rate of 237.30 and an average of 48.50 for Rajasthan Royals.
The youngster continued his rich form, scoring 94 runs off just 29 balls in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A at Dambulla on Sunday.
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “At this moment, no one is performing better than Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He’s the Orange Cap winner, in phenomenal form, breaking records one after another, and has already become the youngest player to achieve several milestones. Just look at the records he’s creating. That’s why I feel that, since this is the benchmark the selectors have set, they have to play him. And to accommodate him, Abhishek Sharma will have to bat at No. 3. Vaibhav Suryavanshi should open the innings alongside Sanju Samson, while Abhishek drops down to No. 3. I don’t see any other option.”
Kaif wants a right and left-hand opening partnership and thus wants Abhishek Sharma to bat at one down.
“The reason is that this Indian team already has an abundance of left-handers. If both Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav open together, it creates an easy matchup for the opposition because both are left-handers. That’s a mistake India wouldn’t want to make. Therefore, Abhishek Sharma will have to move down to No. 3. Everyone will have to adjust their role a little. That’s how I see it.”
The former UP batter said Sooryavanshi has been in prime form and India must give him a chance at the earliest.
“The trend in Indian cricket right now is to move on. And if you’re going to move on, then you have to play Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The way Vaibhav has showcased his form, he’s a special talent. He’s in outstanding form at the moment and has just come off a 90-run knock in a knockout game for India A. So everything is perfectly set for him.”
India will play the first T20I against Ireland at Belfast on Friday.
