IPL 2026: “Cut above a lot of youngsters”- Rayudu praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; says lots of guys ahead of him for India selection

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 52 in 17 balls in RR's IPL 2026 opener against CSK.

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has praised young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his amazing batting. However, he also stated that despite the noise around him about making his India debut soon, there are many guys in front of him in line to get into the Men in Blue side.

Sooryavanshi, who made his IPL debut in 2025 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and scored a 35-ball century, made a huge impression in RR’s IPL 2026 opening game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as well. Chasing 127 runs to win, Sooryavanshi hammered a 15-ball fifty, eventually making 52 in 17 balls as RR won the game by 8 wickets.

The teenage phenom, who turned 15 last week, is now eligible for Team India selection, and many experts and fans have asked the BCCI to consider him.

However, Ambati Rayudu is opposed, believing that, while Vaibhav is incredibly skilled, other players are more deserving of a national team call-up than the teenager.

"I think definitely the T20 format [for his maiden call-up]. If he has a very good IPL and if he shows that he has the ability to keep calm under pressure... because, don't forget, our Indian team is a world champion team. It's won the T20 World Cup. So, to replace somebody on that side is not easy. To me, there are a few players ahead of him at the moment, because you tend to pick and build your teams ahead of the next ICC competition,” Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo.

“There are enough cricketers who have been consistently doing well. So he would definitely be in the race if I were the selector. But at the moment, there are a lot of guys who have been consistent for the last two or three years,” he added.

After stating that Vaibhav appears to be "a cut above" many young players, Rayudu commended the Rajasthan Royals management for recognizing and developing his skill.

“He looks a cut above a lot of youngsters in the country, and he's a talent that will definitely do wonders for Indian cricket. I don't know when, but definitely in the future. The way he has been batting and the freedom with which he has been batting—it's a great testament to the fact that [RRs'] management has been doing a wonderful job, not complicating things for him. And his shot-making—the ease with which he's been taking on bowlers is unbelievable at this age,” added Rayudu.

Vaibhav will next be in action when RR clashes with the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 4.