Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's T20 success not enough for 'respect': Sanjay Manjrekar sets challenge for RR batter

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket, but only in the T20 format for now. He referred to the youngster’s IPL 2026 performances, where he scored runs against top bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, but also said there are areas he needs to work on.

Sooryavanshi, who is 15, came into focus last year with a century in his first IPL season. He followed it up with performances in domestic cricket and at the under-19 level, including a score of 175 in the U-19 World Cup final earlier this year. In IPL 2026, he scored 404 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 237.64.

His performances have led to discussions about whether he could be selected for the India team after the IPL, and Manjrekar said he has done enough to be considered.

"Looking at IPL as a platform to stake a claim for the Indian T20 team, and keeping an eye on his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, where he has a hundred [vs Maharashtra], I think he’s done enough. If someone is lighting up this stage like this, then he’s ready," he said while talking to Sportstar.

At the same time, Manjrekar said it may not be easy for Sooryavanshi to get a place in the team because of the number of openers already in contention, including Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

He said Sooryavanshi is part of a group of T20 batters who create space to play shots, but added that his technique needs changes if he wants to play longer formats.

"Take all the consistent T20 batters in the last few years, Sooryavanshi will stay leg side and hit a ball on middle stump through point because he’s staying leg side of the ball. In Test cricket, the advice is to get close to the ball. You will not get 20 runs in England or Australia, South Africa by staying away from the ball," he opined.

He added, "If you want your kid to be famous and rich, T20 batting is for you. If you want him to get the respect of people like us, the critics, then get him to get close to the line of the ball."