We want him to serve like Sachin, says BCCI on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s future

The BCCI held a high-level review meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Mumbai to discuss emerging talent development. The gathering brought together BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman, and other senior officials.

The focus of the meeting extended to 15-year-old left-handed batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose explosive entry into international cricket has prompted the board to chart a careful long-term strategy.

Sooryavanshi has already made a significant mark in his early career. The youngster made his T20I debut on July 4, 2026, against England, becoming India’s youngest men’s international debutant.

His performances in the IPL 2026 season were particularly striking, where he accumulated 776 runs across 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.30, including 1 century and 5 fifties. He also struck 72 sixes during the tournament, setting an IPL record for a single season. These performances earned him the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes awards.

“We want Vaibhav’s relevance, or any player of his stature, to continue and serve as Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends,” Saikia said after the meeting.

Monitoring every step of Sooryavanshi’s international journey

Saikia emphasised that the BCCI’s oversight of Sooryavanshi extends across all dimensions of his development, from technical skill to mental preparation. The board recognises that early international success at such a young age requires careful stewardship to prevent burnout or complacency.

“So we look at Vaibhav in a very serious manner. He’s monitored from every angle and every step he is taking forward in his international career. The BCCI is taking a very close look at his future,” Saikia added.

Building a legacy beyond early success

Sooryavanshi’s recent international performances have reinforced the board’s confidence in his potential. In the India versus Zimbabwe series, he scored 151 runs across 3 matches and won the Player of the Series award as India completed a 3-0 victory.

“You see, the BCCI can be proud that we are promoting a player of the age of 15 years who is already making his mark in the international scenario and we are very cautious that every right step he should take forward so that it should not be a one series or one year wonder,” Saikia said.

Vaibhav also became the youngest batter to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history at 15 years and 157 days, surpassing a record that had remained unbroken for 57 years. The BCCI’s primary concern is ensuring that these early achievements translate into a sustained international career rather than a fleeting moment of brilliance.

“So we are looking at all the players, not only Vaibhav’s relevance, but there are about 10-15 players who are in our targeted group. Those are named in our targeted group list, and they are constantly monitored by our COE head, VVS Laxman, who is taking keen interest in their future and their training and skill development,” Saikia concluded.