Young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s performance for India in the Under-19 World Cup has sparked discussions about his preparation for senior cricket. Rajkumar Sharma, who coached Virat Kohli in his early years, said that the youngster could soon be considered for an opportunity at the higher level.
India won a record sixth title by defeating England in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 final on Friday, 6 February. Suryavanshi performed on the biggest stage of the tournament. The 14-year-old player scored 175 runs in 80 balls in the final and broke many records. Despite his young age, he has already shown this level of impact.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi rewrites the U19 World Cup record book
Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored his first U19 World Cup century in the final. At the age of 14 years and 316 days, he scored a brilliant 175 to become the youngest batsman to score a century in U19 World Cup history, surpassing Babar Azam who achieved the feat at the age of 15 years and 92 days.
The young opening batsman also hit 15 sixes in the innings and broke his own youth ODI record of most sixes in a match. Earlier, he had hit 14 sixes against UAE in 2025.
Suryavanshi also recorded the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final, surpassing Unmukt Chand’s 111 in 2009. He became the first batsman to score more than 150 runs in U19 World Cup knockout matches, beating Nicholas Pooran’s 142 in the 2014 edition.
These performances at such a young age have sparked a new debate on whether Suryavanshi is ready to step into senior cricket.
Soon he will be given a chance – Rajkumar Sharma on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut
Speaking to IANS, Rajkumar Sharma shared his views on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s future in senior cricket. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach said the youngster is a special talent and deserves an opportunity at the senior level in the near future.
“It’s a big question right now, but yes he is a special talent, and I think he will be given a chance soon. (It’s still a big decision, but yes, he is a special talent, and I believe he should be given an opportunity soon.)“
Delhi: When asked if cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi is ready for the senior team, cricket expert and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma says, “It is still a big decision, but yes, he is a special talent, and I believe he should be given a chance… pic.twitter.com/xMb1sMeNA0
– IANS (@ians_india) 7 February 2026
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rapid rise through record-breaking knocks
Vaibhav Suryavanshi first grabbed national attention after securing a record IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 mega auction. He made an immediate impact by hitting a six on the very first ball of his IPL career.
The left-handed batsman scored his century in 35 balls, which is the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history. That innings also made him the youngest player to score a T20 century.
Earlier in the Asia Cup Rising Stars, he had scored 144 runs in just 42 balls. He created history by scoring a century in 36 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy at the age of 14 years and 272 days, becoming the youngest player to score a List A century.
In the same match, Suryavanshi broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, achieving the milestone in 59 balls. He played a brilliant inning of 190 runs in 84 balls with the help of 16 fours and 15 sixes.
Also read: Due to Bhojpuri wave, Vaibhav Suryavanshi tore apart the Punjabi music culture of the Indian team.
