Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old batting prodigy, made history on July 4, 2026, when he received his India cap from Tilak Verma ahead of the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, becoming the youngest player ever to represent India. In doing so he surpassed the long-standing mark set by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his India debut in 1989 at 16 years and 205 days.
Sooryavanshi’s elevation to the senior team follows a sensational IPL 2026. He finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of 230 and collected the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards — a unique treble in IPL history. He also smashed a record 72 sixes in the season, eclipsing Chris Gayle’s single-season sixes mark while playing a key role in Rajasthan Royals reaching the playoffs.
Born in Tajpur, Samastipur district, Bihar, in 2011, Sooryavanshi’s rise has been rapid and well-documented. He made his first-class debut in 2024 at just 12 years and 284 days, earned a place in India’s Under-19 squad later that year and turned heads with a 58-ball century in a Youth Test against Australia. Rajasthan Royals bought him at auction for Rs 1.10 crore, making him the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract at 13.
He made his IPL debut aged 14 years and 23 days against Lucknow Super Giants, famously clearing Shardul Thakur for six off the first ball he faced. Nine days later he became the youngest centurion in IPL history with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans — a knock only five deliveries slower than the fastest in IPL history.
Sooryavanshi had already impressed on the international youth stage before his IPL exploits. In February he starred in India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup final win over England, scoring 175 off 80 balls in the title match and earning Player of the Series honours. After the IPL he featured for India A in a tri-series, scoring 211 runs in five matches at an average of 42.20 and a strike rate of 200.95, including a blistering 94 off 29 in the final to seal a 66-run victory.
Selectors’ decision to fast-track Sooryavanshi into the senior side reflects his extraordinary form across age-group, domestic and franchise cricket. At 15, he arrives with a string of records and awards — and with intense expectations about how his talent will translate to the international stage.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-tour-of-england/vaibhav-sooryavanshi-creates-history-breaks-sachin-tendulkars-36-year-old-record-ind-vs-eng-1st-t20i/articleshow/132107637.cms
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-07-04 18:26:00
