Published: June 24, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Excitement is undoubtedly palpable as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi undertakes his maiden tour with Team India who are going to play two T20I series against Ireland and England.
It will be a baptism by fire for the teenage wonder kid of world cricket as the Shreyas Iyer-led team takes up the challenge in Old Blighty. After taking the world by storm with his explosive and powerful batting in the under-19 World Cup, IPL and India A, Sooryavanshi will be keenly watched how he tackles the bowlers in conditions which are more conducive for them.
The selection of Sooryavanshi has literally lit up the English summer as former English pace bowler Stuart Broad said many could be starstruck by this teen dynamo. “He’s got it all, hasn’t he? He’s got it all. He’s even getting into sledging now. Ok, the cricket’s too easy, 11 balls. That’s crazy. I’m sure you’re probably not hoping, but I’m doing the first T20 match in Durham against India, what’s that, July the 1st… I just hope he plays. I really, I’ve actually got to be honest, I think. I might be starstruck by him,” said Broad, who took to TV commentary after retirement from the game.
Indian legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar, who thinks Sooryavanshi is God’s gift, was one of the many critics who strongly pleaded for his selection to the English tour. Gavaskar feels Sooryavanshi’s clean, straight six-hitting is highly technical and ‘extraordinarily special’.
Surely, the pandits, fans and viewers are looking forward to seeing Sooryavanshi unleash his exciting strokeplay in the seaming conditions of England.
I am worried about injuries, says Cullinan
However, a few critics like Daryll Cullinan, who has been awed by his talent but is a bit skeptical about Sooryavanshi’s injuries and fitness. “I’m in awe of this young talent but what’s bothering me, and no one is talking about it, is injuries? At the age of 15 to be swinging a big bat, playing so much cricket, I fear for his wrists, elbows, the smaller stuff and joints. What does medical opinion say? Remember Sachin’s (Tendulkar) career almost got curtailed because of a bad elbow. He definitely would not have been swinging so hard so often as Sooryavanshi,’’ the former South African batter said recently.
https://x.com/Vaibhavsooryava/status/2068683494797292021?s=20
Cullinan’s concern has raised a few eyebrows. Khelkhiladis.com spoke to a few experts and WV Raman, the yesteryear stylish left-handed opener, regarding this aspect. There are a few interesting points in their analysis of Sooryavanshi’s big-hitting skills.
Prof Major Dr S Bakhtiar Choudary, a senior consultant in sports medicine and occupational health, expressed his opinion on the possible injuries and the measures needed to be taken to safeguard Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary career.
“Sooryavanshi has raised the bar in many ways. For old timers, we were all used to the tradition of five-days cricket. It required different preparedness. With the advent of white ball cricket, from 50 overs to T20, the whole concept of fitness has dramatically changed. T20 is all about fearless cricket, be it batting or bowling. A batter smashes sixes long and hard while the bowlers try to bowl 140 km. It is a calculated risk and we do find injuries to batters and bowlers quite often. So, it is natural for people like me to think about Sooryavanshi and his furious batting,’’ said Choudary, who is currently working on saving people from back and neck surgeries with a new method.
Sooryavanshi needs to be constantly monitored: Choudary
“Usually, bone growth and body structure occur between 15 years to 18 years. During this time, there is a possible risk of injuries as the bones are not fused properly. The tender bones need to be handled carefully with proper training methods,” he elaborated.
“Sooryavanshi is peaking at 15 years. It started from an early age. I’m reminded of Sachin Tendulkar who too blossomed from a very young age. It was different cricket then. Though, Tendulkar underwent a few surgeries, his rigid discipline life helped him to survive and play a long career. Tendulkar is the right template for Sooryavanshi. Of course, Tendulkar’s cricket method was different from this boy. I think there should be a constant monitoring of this young boy’s fitness,” he added.
Choudary also cited the case of Odisha runner Budhia Singh, whose career was destroyed by his ambitious coach. “At the age of 7 years, Budhia ran 70 km. He was looked at as one of the rare talents but I think his ignorant coach abused this boy’s career. Finally, the boy is nowhere now.”
According to Choudary, Sooryavanshi is a precocious talent. “It needs a lot of planning and discipline to ensure that this boy overcomes injuries hurdles by a proper and scientific method.’’
Choudary is also a bit concerned that a few young cricketers are making Sooryavanshi their role model. “This dream or idea should be nipped in the bud as everybody cannot be Sooryavanshi, whose genes are strong. The parents and coaches should stop pushing or dreaming of their ward to be a Sooryavanshi,’’ he concluded.
Let’s celebrate Sooryavanshi’s talent: Raman
Raman, however, dispelled all those fears of the injury concerns. “Let’s celebrate this boy’s phenomenal talent. His rise has been amazing. Yes, there could be a concern or two but Sooryavanshi’s being a special cricketer, the Indian cricket board would definitely look at all these aspects. One of the biggest gains for Indian cricket is that we have world class rehabilitation clinics or the highly-qualified physios at the high-performance centre in Bengaluru to take care of special talent like Sooryavanshi.’’
The former Indian international, who has grown in stature as TV commentator, said Sooryavanshi is 15 years, but he is playing a different level of game. “He is God’s gift to cricket. Let him play his game.’’
Raman said while Tendulkar or Virat Kohli drew the crowd to the stadium or got people glued to the television, Sooryavanshi has now made it a compulsory watch. “In fact, people are saying that they are switching off their television once he is out. That has been the craze for Sooryavanshi’s big-hitting skills. He is here to stay and the next big challenge is the series in Ireland and England that could bring record at the venue and viewers to the television.”
“The swing and bat- speed has come naturally to this boy. Then he has this fine eye and hand coordination that helps him to generate the powerful strokes. Obviously, a lot of planning and hard work has gone into his batting skills,” he added.
The lanky Tamil Nadu batter said one important aspect of the rise of Sooryavanshi is that his parents are as caring and watchful as Tendulkar’s parents. “The BCCI even took pains to send Sooryavanshi’s parents to these two upcoming series. Like how Tendulkar was taken care by his parents, Sooryavanshi has very caring parents. That is a good sign.”
He is composed under pressure: Harsha
Harsha Midathala, a strength and conditioning coach, opined that Sooryavanshi’s biggest strengths are his exceptional hand-eye coordination, elite reaction speed, and the ability to generate explosive bat speed at just 15 years of age.
“Physiologically, his fast-twitch muscle fibers appear to be firing at a remarkably high level for someone so young. What stands out even more, however, is his composure under pressure. We saw it during the IPL and again in the recent India A Tri-Series final, where he smashed a record 11-ball fifty. Talent explains the shots, but his calmness, focus, and fearlessness in high-pressure situations are what make him truly special,” he said.
Midathala signed off by saying: “Sooryavanshi’s 11-ball fifty in the India A Tri-Series final and his 94 off 29 balls are strong examples of that combination of explosiveness and composure.”
