New Delhi: Vibhu Suryavanshi’s sensational IPL 2026 campaign has sparked a growing debate over whether the 15-year-old batting prodigy should be fast-tracked into India’s senior T20I team. The youngster from Samastipur in Bihar took the tournament by storm, scoring 776 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 237.31. He also rewrote the record books by hitting 72 sixes during the season to finish as the winner of the Orange Cap and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.Suryavanshi is already part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka, with demand for his inclusion in India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland later this month gathering momentum. Several former cricketers have backed the youngster’s immediate promotion to the senior team. India will play two T20Is in Ireland from June 26. Former Indian batsman Sanjay ManjrikarHowever, caution is urged.“Vaibhu will be next in line after Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. But I would like to see Vaibhu playing in batting conditions like those guys in the IPL, if they pick him for India at all,” Manjrekar told Sportsstar.The former Indian cricketer believes it would be premature to immediately expose Suryavanshi to challenging foreign conditions.“You know it’s not a good idea to put him directly on a foreign pitch, a foreign pitch like New Zealand, South Africa. He can go there and repeat what he has done in the IPL. But, yes, it’s difficult when you look at the contenders. Whether it’s Gayle up front or Vibhu Suryavanshi, it’s difficult to call him.” So, let it happen organically and see how it goes,” he said.Manjrekar also explained how quickly perceptions can change in T20 cricket.“A few months and things changed. No one is talking about Abhishek Sharma,” he commented.Impressed by Suryavanshi’s explosive batting, Manjrikar said the youngster’s long-term future should be guided by his own ambitions rather than public expectations.“If he just wants to be a T20 sensation and focus on T20 cricket then so be it. And it shouldn’t be against him. But then you will only be considered as an exceptional T20 player. He plays 50-over cricket, and I think for him to bat in the first 10 overs and what Rohit Sharma did in the 2023 World Cup is very important in some situations. Even better than Rohit,” said Manjrekar.The former batsman also highlighted several aspects of Suryavanshi’s game that have emerged during his successful season.“For me, my problem with predicting a player’s future, you see the potential. What I’ll take from his performance is extraordinary for someone who’s really young and he’s got some hitting talent, some great ball sense. He’s got that range as we saw on the last show, you know, he hits it all around the park.”Manjrikar was particularly impressed by the youngster’s fearless approach and willingness to put team interests ahead of personal milestones.“He’s been out three times in the 90s. So he’s someone who doesn’t care about hundreds and gets out every time with a big shot. So that’s something to like. If someone is selfless and doesn’t care about milestones, he won’t waste too many balls.”He also noted Suryavanshi’s maturity in adapting to match conditions.“Even in that last playoff game you could just see him, you know, slow his bat down a little bit. Rajasthan Royals Wickets were being lost. So there’s a lot to like.”For now, Manjrekar believes the cricketing world should enjoy the youngster’s rise without jumping to conclusions about his future.“But what I can say with certainty at this stage is that he has had a phenomenal IPL season. Great batting performances, consistency, big scores and for someone so young, you know, well done. I’m sure he will be the most dangerous batsman for any opposition this season.“And I’m just going to hang in there and see how this story plays out,” he said.
