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Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s India debut has become the biggest talking point among the Indian cricket fraternity. Former Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes that the 15-year-old batting sensation is already ready to play at the highest level.
Following his record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, he was selected in India’s squad for the tour of Ireland and England as well as the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. However, Vaibhav did not get a chance on the Ireland tour and then did not play the first T20 match in England. Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik issued a reality check to Vaibhav Suryavanshi ahead of his India debut.
After Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut, Vijay Shankar gave a bold statement ‘Age is just a number’
However, Vaibhav Suryavanshi finally earned his first cap in the second T20I against England in Manchester on July 4, and Vijay Shankar welcomed the decision of head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
The former Indian all-rounder feels that the teenage batsman is in the best form of his career and deserves his chance. Vijay also stressed that age should not decide whether a player gets selected or not, adding that Vaibhav is a finished product who is not worth the waiting queue.
Vijay Shankar said on RevSportz: “Too early is definitely not a thing. Because the way he is batting is unbelievable. If he can face the top bowlers in the IPL, I think he is already ready. So, I think where I missed out even at the domestic level is about the age they talk about. You know, I don’t believe in it. Because if you are fit enough and if you are among the best, If you are ready to compete against, age will not and should not be a factor. That is the only thing.”
Vijay Shankar calls Vaibhav Suryavanshi a rare talent, demands long term tenure
The former India all-rounder said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already shown what he can do in the IPL. He has already scored centuries, played fearless cricket and taken on the world’s best fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar without showing any fear.
Special Vijay Shankar
“I’m fit and I enjoy playing cricket, so I felt it was the right time to get out and explore opportunities overseas.” – Vijay Shankar on selection to play in Lanka Premier League.
“He’s a very special talent.” – Victory over glory… pic.twitter.com/MqOZZW7HhB
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 4, 2026
He believes that very few young players have the confidence and ability to play such shots against world-class bowlers. Vijay further added, “I think he’s a very special talent. So, I’m sure he’s going to have a lovely time. I just think; I just hope he gets a chance to go on for a long time.”
While the Indian team management has made it clear that they cannot remove Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson as they have done nothing wrong, Vijay pointed out that when a young player is in the best form of his life, he should be given a chance without waiting for long.
Vijay Shankar says India should take advantage of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s golden form
Every cricketer comes to a special phase in his career when everything goes right and he believes that Vaibhav is going through the same phase at the moment and India should take full advantage of it instead of keeping him on the bench. Vijay said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is at his best at the moment and he is not a hard worker; Instead, he is hitting the ball around the field.
He also highlighted the Bihar boy’s special skill of hitting sixes on the curve besides being a medium pacer. Vijay also warned that making a talented player like Vaibhav wait for too long could affect his rhythm, pace and confidence.
He even gave the example of Manav Suthar, saying that after impressing in domestic cricket and India A, the young left-arm spinner was given a chance in the one-off Test against Afghanistan and he grabbed it with both hands. Vijay feels that the same approach should be adopted with Vaibhav also.
Shankar further added, “I feel like as a cricketer, you will be in your flow at some point in your career. So, when you are in that flow, I think they should drop everything. As a cricketer, you will really feel at your best at a certain point. So, I think when someone is at his best, he should definitely get a chance immediately.”
Vijay Shankar reveals the biggest regret of his career
During the same conversation, Vijay revealed that representing India in white-ball cricket was a proud achievement, but playing Test cricket has always been his biggest dream, and not getting a cap will always be the biggest disappointment of his career.
Shankar signed off by saying, “It’s really a very special thing for me. It was my dream when I started playing cricket. So, eventually the white ball happened. But Test cricket was really one of my dreams – to represent Test cricket.”
