‘But not in Test cricket’ - Sourav Ganguly on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in Indian team after IPL 2026

Published - 27 May 2026, 12:47 IST | Updated - 27 May 2026, 12:47 IST

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared his thoughts on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026 with his stunning performances for Rajasthan Royals.

The 15-year-old batter has impressed fans and experts alike with his fearless strokeplay and maturity beyond his age, leading to growing calls for his inclusion in the Indian team. While Ganguly admitted that Sooryavanshi possesses rare talent, the former India skipper urged caution regarding his red-ball future and stressed the importance of first-class cricket.

“In T20s, he should be included right away, but not in Test cricket. He has to score more runs in first-class cricket to get a place. But at the moment he’s just too talented. To see a 15-year-old boy bat like this against everyone in the world is phenomenal. He is India’s future,” Ganguly said in an interview with Times of India.

Sooryavanshi has been one of the breakout stars of the ongoing IPL season, consistently delivering impactful performances against experienced bowling attacks. His fearless approach and ability to dominate quality bowlers at such a young age have sparked comparisons with some of India’s brightest young talents from the past.

Meanwhile, Ganguly also spoke about Rishabh Pant and his struggles with consistency in the T20 format. Pant, who has faced criticism for inconsistent performances in IPL 2026, continues to be highly regarded by Ganguly for his exploits in Test cricket.

“He’s a very good Test player. His Test match batting is world class. He’s still finding it tough to adapt to 120 cricket. I hope he does because he’s got enormous talent. Captaincy is a burden on everyone. It’s how you handle it. But then you want to be captain, isn’t it? You want to be captain because it’s a huge honour,” Ganguly added.

RR coach defends Sooryavanshi’s use as Impact player

Pant’s captaincy and batting form have remained under the spotlight throughout the season, with many questioning whether the added responsibility has affected his performances. However, Ganguly backed the wicketkeeper-batter to overcome the challenges and rediscover his best form in the shortest format.