Kris Srikkanth backs 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to be part of India’s squad for 2025 Asia Cup

Kris Srikkanth backs 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to be part of India’s squad for 2025 Asia Cup. (Source:BCCI)

Former India opener and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has made a stunning suggestion by wanting 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.  Srikkanth believes age should not be a barrier when extraordinary talent and form are present.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to meet on August 19 in Mumbai to finalize India’s squad for the T20 Asia Cup, scheduled in the UAE from September 9 to 28. With India’s first match on September 10, the selectors are in the middle of making some tough calls, with names like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Riyan Parag in contention. Amid this, Srikkanth’s call to fast-track Suryavanshi into the senior side has added new context to the selection narrative.

Suryavanshi made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2025. The southpaw smashed the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history with a 35-ball ton against the Gujarat Titans. He carried that form to the India U-19 tour of England, where he notched up 355 runs in five matches, including a 143 in the fourth ODI.

“You have to play boldly. Don’t make him wait. Don’t say things like let him mature. He is already playing with remarkable maturity. His shot-making has been on another level. If I were chairman, I would have him in the 15,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

Samson is doubtful: Srikkanth

The former selector also predicted India’s opening combination. While he backed Abhishek Sharma as the first-choice opener, he mentioned that the remaining slots should be between Suryavanshi, Sai Sudharsan, and Shubman Gill.

“Samson is doubtful, according to me. My first-choice opener is Abhishek Sharma, no doubt. I will have two more openers. My picks would be Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan, with Shubman Gill as an option. He has been outstanding. I think it should be Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan. I would take two out of these three. That would be my preference,” Srikkanth added.