Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to pick Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the England tour after the conclusion of IPL 2026. Suryavanshi scored a sublime knock of 97 runs off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator on Wednesday.
The young batter has already scored two IPL centuries in his short career, reaching one in 35 balls and the other in 36 balls. Sooryavanshi was just one boundary away from breaking Chris Gayle’s record of scoring the fastest IPL century off 30 balls, but he was dismissed three runs short of his hundred. However, he broke Gayle’s record of most sixes (59) in an IPL season and has smashed 65 sixes in the ongoing season.
Suryavanshi is currently the Orange Cap holder, with 680 runs in 15 matches at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85.
‘He is absolutely ready for T20 cricket. I seriously hope he finds a place in the T20 squad for the England tour. It should definitely happen because after such a brilliant performance, if you don’t give him a spot now, then when? Also, don’t see his age, because he is hitting guys who are 15 years older than him. He is hitting the ball into the stands against players who have international experience,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“He has no fear at all. The way kids play in gully cricket and in grounds, he is playing just like that. When we were kids, did we ever play defensive shots? Only after we grew up, we started playing that way. I am praying to god that the childishness of his batting approach and his game, never ages,” he added.
The former legendary batter predicted that Suryavanshi would play for India in 2026.
“Sometimes, by including a player, you have to drop someone, and that becomes a headache. So, what might happen is that he will be there in the 15-man squad, or even 16. But whether or not he makes it into the playing XI, they will have to think about that later on. The experience he will get by touring with the Indian team, it will be priceless,” Gavaskar opined.
“I have no doubt that, whether it be in England, Ireland, or Zimbabwe, wherever, he will represent India in T20Is in 2026. 2026 will be remembered as Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s year,” he added.
RR will take on GT in the second qualifier.
