NEW DELHI: With his fireworks in the IPL, Under-19 World Cup and domestic circuit, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned a place in the senior India side. Sooryavanshi on Saturday received his maiden call-up to India’s T20I squad for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games. In the process, he became the youngest player to be picked in the Indian men’s team.India will play two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by a five-match series in England from July 1 to 11. India will also feature in the men’s T20 event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September. Sooryavanshi, who enjoyed a stellar IPL 2026 campaign in which he scored 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, has made it clear that he wants to become an all-format player.The 15-year-old had earlier spoken about his desire to play Test cricket during an interview with legendary Sunil Gavaskar in IPL 2026. After earning his maiden India call-up on the back of his extraordinary performances, Sooryavanshi once again reiterated his ambition to excel across all three formats.“I want to play red-ball cricket because I mainly practice with the red ball. My dream is to play for India in all three formats. [I want to play red-ball cricket because I practise with the red ball. My dream is to represent India in all three formats],” Sooryavanshi told Rajasthan Royals.“A lot of people talk about red-ball cricket. I was also asked whether I would like to go ahead and play red-ball cricket or not. I told them that I have practiced a lot with red-ball and still do so. I have also played a lot of red-ball cricket for my state and will continue to do so. [A lot of people talk about red-ball cricket. I was also asked whether I want to play red-ball cricket in the future. I told them that I have practised extensively with the red ball and continue to do so. I have also played a lot of red-ball cricket for my state and continue playing it regularly]” Sooryavanshi said.“And I have to play red-ball cricket because I practice with the red ball. Every format has its own demands. In this format, I mainly bat in this way because there is a need for it. I will change my batting according to whatever is required in red-ball cricket. Whatever is required in ODIs, I will adjust my game accordingly. My dream is to play three formats. Everyone else knows God. [I want to play red-ball cricket because I practise with the red ball. Every format has different requirements. I bat this way in this format because that is what it demands. In red-ball cricket, I will adapt my batting according to what is needed. In ODIs too, I will adjust my game based on the demands of the format. My dream is to play all three formats. The rest is in God’s hands]” he said.Sooryavanshi finished IPL 2026 as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 776 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 237.30. His remarkable consistency, highlighted by a record-breaking tally of 72 sixes, saw him rewrite several long-standing IPL records and establish himself as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket.The Bihar-born prodigy also swept the post-season awards, claiming an unprecedented haul that included the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, Orange Cap and Super Sixes of the Season awards.
