'Can he play out five maiden overs?' - Kapil Dev’s bold remark on Vaibhav Suryavanshi ahead of ENG vs IND 2026 2nd T20I

Kapil Dev urged the Indian team management to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut if they feel he is ready, rather than keep him waiting just because of his young age. However, the former India captain wondered whether the southpaw would be able to play out five maiden overs when he plays Test cricket.

Sooryavanshi has been with India's T20 squad since the Ireland tour. However, he has not yet earned his maiden international cap. Dev lauded the impact the 15-year-old has had in the shortest format and drew similarities with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

"The day he plays Tests, can he play out five maiden overs? In T20, it is fabulous. At such a young age, to make such an impact, you will not find even 1% of such people," Dev said on a podcast with Sports Tak.

"We can talk about Sachin because he was the same age when he played. We used to think about whether it would be too soon. But if you look at history, you will realise. Sometimes it might be too late. When you are on the rise, play. I feel that if he is ready, don't count his age. Count on his ability. If you feel he can play, definitely make him play," he stated.

The legendary all-rounder said that Sooryavanshi is right up there alongside the likes of Tendulkar and Virat Kohli when it comes to his talent.

"I have not seen a lot of him, but have seen a bit. A huge talent, without any doubt. I think we are talking too big about him. At the moment, give him some time. Don't do it too much, as in this age, he has no understanding. But if you talk about Talent, yes, he is as good as Sachin or Virat. That talent is seen. But it is of T20. In other formats, he has to prove."

Dev warned Sooryavanshi that he might go through a phase when runs won't come from his willow. The 67-year-old said that it has happened to most cricketers, and it would be interesting to see how he develops during that lean patch.

"It's not like he will not have a bad patch. There will be difficult times as well. We can see how he will get out of that bad patch. There are very few cricketers who have never had a bad patch, be it Sachin, Gavaskar, Richards, everyone goes through rough times. We can see how a cricketer of his calibre develops through that rough time," he said.

Aakash Chopra picks his India XI for 2nd ENG vs IND T20I

India will lock horns with England in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday, June 4. It will be interesting to see whether the 15-year-old is handed his debut.