Sehwag compares Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s attacking approach to his own
Virender Sehwag said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi mirrors his own fearless batting when speaking at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual session on Saturday. Sehwag argued that once a player reaches the IPL or represents India, age should not determine selection.
Sehwag described Sooryavanshi’s mindset in direct terms: “Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his thinking is somewhat similar to mine, that of hitting right from the first ball. Now, it is about when he gets the opportunity and how many matches he plays for India,” Sehwag said. He reiterated his view on age and selection with a second quote: “Look, if you are playing in an age-category, it makes sense. If it’s Under-19, your age should be under 19. But once you play the IPL or play for India, age doesn’t matter. A 38-or 40-year-old (Virat) Kohli is playing, and a 15-year-old (Vaibhav) Sooryavanshi is also playing. Then, performance matters,” he added. Sehwag finished his international career with 17,253 runs across formats and was known for taking the attack to bowlers from the outset.
Sooryavanshi, aged 15, has been notable for an aggressive approach but has not been picked for India’s first two T20Is against the West Indies; the team retained Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as its opening pair. India won the first match by eight wickets and kept the same XI for the second, leaving the teenager on the sidelines. India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed keeping Sooryavanshi involved with the squad even when he is not selected.
Morkel has urged the youngster to learn from senior players and to observe tactical elements of the game while waiting for playing opportunities. That role in the squad, according to the report, is intended to aid Sooryavanshi’s development even without immediate match time.
Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 186.16, with a highest score of 81 and two half-centuries. He first attracted wide attention with explosive IPL performances at 14 and made his senior international debut against England in July 2026, aged 15 years and 99 days. He is yet to play an international match on Indian soil and missed out during the T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this year.
With India continuing to rely on Samson and Abhishek at the top of the order against the West Indies, Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his next opportunity to make an impression in international cricket. His selection for the third T20I will depend on India's team combination and the management's assessment of its opening options.
