Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar showered praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for playing a quickfire knock while playing for India A against Afghanistan A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla on Thursday.

The youngster scored an impressive knock of 44 runs off just 22 balls to give a quick start to his team. The left-hander smashed nine fours in his blistering innings. 

“India A is in SL, pitch not as flat as in the IPL & it’s not T20 cricket. So watching Vaibhav Suryavanshi in different batting conditions. And I am excited! He is not just your T20 slogger. He can be a one day phenomenon too! Special talent!” Manjrekar wrote on his official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle.

On the other hand, former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also praised Sooryavanshi for his impressive knock against Afghanistan A.

Ashwin wrote on X, “Out ! But 44(21) absolutely entertaining innings, punctuated with some well timed cover drives. We have seen his power, but today was anything but brute force. He is some player this kid.🤩🤩”

Meanwhile, India A posted 349-9 in 49 overs after Prabhsimran Singh, Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored fine half-centuries. 

On the other hand, Sooryavanshi ended the IPL 2026 season with 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 237.30. He ended as the leading run-getter in the tournament and thus bagged the Orange Cap. Along with it, he was awarded the MVP of the tournament, Super Striker of the Season, Emerging Player of the season, and also bagged the award for the most sixes (72) in the season.

Ego, he received his maiden T20I call-up for the UK tour, where India will play two T20Is against Ireland and five T20Is against England.