Dilip Vengsarkar backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for all-format future

Former India captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar backs 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to crack the demands of all formats. Sooryavanshi, the highest run-getter in the 2026 IPL with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, has not received automatic selection in the playing XI.

India coach Gautam Gambhir stuck to the 2026 T20 World Cup winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson for the upcoming assignments. Sooryavanshi was made vice-captain of champions East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 92 and 40 against Central Zone and 44 and 8 against South Zone in the final.

Vengsarkar said he does not understand why there is an issue between white and red ball. He believes Sooryavanshi is an excellent player with excellent skills who is bound to keep improving because he is playing at the top level all the time.