Sooryavanshi targeting Test cricket? Young batter’s conversation with Gavaskar c

A Rising Star Emerges

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will be remembered for the spectacular rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s triumphant campaign, the 15-year-old sensation dominated headlines by securing a multitude of individual awards and finishing the season as the tournament’s highest run-getter. His ability to clear the boundary with ease made him a household name overnight.

However, it was his post-final interaction with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in Ahmedabad that truly captured the imagination of cricket fans. As the dust settled on the T20 spectacle, the conversation turned toward the future, specifically regarding whether the young batting prodigy was focusing on refining his ground game for longer formats.

The Red-Ball Ambition

Sooryavanshi, who played for the Rajasthan Royals during the season, addressed the transition from T20 dominance to the technical requirements of Test cricket. Addressing his approach, he noted: “Yes, I am focusing on ground strokes because my next assignment is an ODI. Also, I am currently practising with the red ball. Till now, no one has seen me do that, but pretty soon, everyone will.”

The young batter clarified that his aggressive T20 style—which saw him hit a record-breaking 72 sixes in a single season, surpassing Chris Gayle’s 2012 tally of 59—was largely a product of the current format’s demands. “Everyone thinks that I am just a player who loves to hit each ball. Since this is T20 cricket, coaches have given me the freedom. My thought process is to hit the ball if it’s in my range; I don’t like to play lofted shots out of compulsion,” he explained.

Regarding his long-term goals, the Bihar-based batter revealed that his father has always emphasized that the five-day game is the pinnacle of the sport. Acknowledging his limited exposure to the red ball, he added: “I want to play Tests. My father always tells me that the ultimate format is the five-day game. I haven’t played much with the red ball, even though I have played Ranji Trophy, but again, I didn’t get too many chances. It was challenging, but I will continue to work on my game.”

Endorsement from the Master Blaster

The conversation surrounding Sooryavanshi’s potential in the longer format has gained significant momentum following comments from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Speaking at the Cricinfo honours show, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of nurturing such talent without stifling their development.

“Exciting talent has to be encouraged,” Tendulkar stated. “If he’s doing well, then we also need to support him and let him enjoy his game without any pressure being put on him. One cannot tell the selectors to pick the player for a certain format, because that’s their job.”

Tendulkar maintained a balanced perspective on the selection process, humorously referencing the presence of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the event. “With Ajit Agarkar sitting here, I have to be careful with my words, just like everybody else. Even I am excited to see Vaibhav play Test cricket at some stage, but I don’t know when.”

What Lies Ahead

As the cricketing fraternity waits to see how the young star adapts to the demands of red-ball cricket, the excitement is palpable. With a record-shattering IPL season behind him and the backing of legends like Tendulkar and Gavaskar, Sooryavanshi seems to have the right temperament to tackle the rigors of the game. While the transition from T20’s explosive nature to the patience required in Test matches is significant, his commitment to practice and his recognition of the sport’s traditions suggest a promising trajectory for one of India’s brightest young talents.