Former PBKS all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged the Indian selectors to hand over the India cap to young Vaibhav Suryavanshi after his strong display of character as the RR youngster hit massive sixes off Jasprit Bumrah during the IPL 2026 clash.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not the first prodigy that cricket has ever seen; However, his talent is one of a kind. Never before had any player shown the ability and courage to defeat world-class senior cricketers with such ease and dominance.
Rajasthan Royals and Rahul Dravid scouted possibly two of the biggest stars of India’s next generation in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Suryavanshi’s innings against Mumbai Indians has inspired even more people to support him for a call-up to Team India.
Irfan Pathan reveals that Vaibhav Suryavanshi was waiting for Jasprit Bumrah’s moment
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that the selectors of the senior men’s national cricket team should not make Suryavanshi wait for his India cap. He then mentioned his immense praise for the young cricketer after he dismissed Bumrah in the last game against MI.
“Suryavanshi is a child of destiny,” Pathan said. “What he is doing at the age of 15 in white-ball cricket, I don’t think we have ever seen anyone do that.”
Suryavanshi hit a powerful six on the leading Indian fast bowler on the very first ball of his first over. Everyone including Bumrah was surprised by the behavior of the young batsman. According to Pathan, Suryavanshi had been waiting for this moment for months and was ready to fire.
Pathan said the youth were especially waiting for this moment. “This amazing 15-year-old kid says – I am waiting for Jasprit Bumrah. I was out to him last year. I will come this year and hit him. And he hit Bumrah on the very first ball.”
Suryavanshi’s batting sidelined Jasprit Bumrah after which Irfan Pathan was impressed.
What impressed the all-rounder more was that he was unsettled by young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, perhaps one of the greatest white-ball bowlers India has ever produced. Suryavanshi’s six forced Bumrah to settle for slower balls.
Pathan claimed, “The way Bumrah seemed to have no plan, the way he went for the slow pace – Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made even Bumrah think. In white-ball cricket, India have not got a bowler like Bumrah. He is a goat. And this feat has been achieved against him.”
He then reflected on the clear mindset of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, where he does not take the bowlers into account by only focusing on playing the ball. This gives him free license to dominate any bowler and hit them in any desired direction.
He said, “Any bowler who comes forward, he does not look at his action and does not think much. He just sees the ball. If he gets the ball, he hits it. This thinking makes him very special.”
“Give him the Indian team cap” – Irfan Pathan
A few months ago, he had asked a selector how much more time would it take for Suryavanshi to make it to the Indian team; However, he did not specify any time for this. However, pointing towards Tuesday’s demonstration, Pathan believes that this is the answer to all the questions.
He said, “Don’t keep this boy waiting too long.” “Give him the Indian team cap. Imagine – this guy can play professional cricket for 20 years. It’s scary for bowlers.”
Now 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi is eligible to play for the men’s senior team in international cricket. Pathan was also extremely impressed by his discipline and his off-field behaviour, which was revealed to him by his coach.
“He told me that this boy is very well-behaved. Wherever I am, he comes and touches my feet. The mind is in the right place.”
“Very special,” Pathan said. “It’s unbelievable.”
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