Don't rush Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in playing XI: Sri Lanka great warns India
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be India's future, but the teenager should not be rushed into the playing XI, former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya said on Sunday. Jayasuriya described Sooryavanshi as a "different kind of talent" and said India should give him time to develop.
The 15-year-old was part of India's squad for the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, but did not get a game, as the team stuck with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as its opening pair.
"He's a different kind of talent. I think he's the future for India. He has a lot of time. So, give him the opportunity to do well and he will do well," Jayasuriya told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of the Corporate World Cup.
Jayasuriya, who was one of Sri Lanka's key performers in their 1996 World Cup triumph, backed Sooryavanshi to make the most of his chances when they come.
"Opportunities will come. I can't tell which position he will play, it depends. But when the opportunity comes, he will grab them. So, let's wait and see.
"I can't comment on the selection and the batting line-ups. I think he is highly talented," he said.
Jayasuriya also pointed to the competition for places in the Indian team, saying Abhishek and Samson will have to keep performing.
"The individual cricketers have individual talents and they work hard at practice and training. In India, there are always players ready to take their place and perform. The competition is so high."
The former Sri Lankan captain also praised India's standards across all three formats.
"India has a high standard of cricket. They play all the games - ODIs, T20s, and Tests. When you play all three formats of the game, it's not easy.
"In India, they have that high level of passion to play for the country. So, that's why most of the players are doing well and they want to represent the country."
Jayasuriya also spoke about the importance of corporate cricket in providing opportunities to players who have not made it to the IPL, state teams or other higher levels.
"When you play in all the cities across India, there are corporate players, who have the opportunity and want to do well, wanting to show that some individuals are capable of representing the country.
"There are so many players who haven't gotten the opportunity during the IPL, so, they get these opportunities.
"So, the players who are in the corporate sector and haven't gotten the opportunity to play at the club, other levels, or state levels they get the opportunity to come and play here. So that's why, I think this is going to be good for Indian cricket," he concluded.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 20:30 IST
