Former Australian captain Steve Waugh backed teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi to represent India in the red-ball format amid the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. The 15-year-old has dominated white-ball cricket at the domestic level over the past year, resulting in his call-up to the Indian T20I side.
Suryavanshi struggled in his maiden T20I series against England but immediately bounced back in the next series in Zimbabwe, where he was adjudged the Player of the Series. The southpaw has already broken several records, including becoming the youngest to play for India and the youngest to score a half-century in men’s international cricket.
Talking about Suryavanshi’s prospects in red-ball cricket for India, Waugh said on Star Sports (7:52):
“He’s obviously a freakish talent, and he will be good enough to play Test cricket. I’ve no doubt about that. The question is if India are prepared to give him an opportunity so early. There’s nothing to say that he doesn’t score a century in his first Test match. He has that sort of talent, but it’ll be different.”
Suryavanshi was recently included in the East Zone squad for the 2026 Duleep Trophy and made vice-captain. However, in the quarterfinal against the North East Zone, the youngster fell for only eight off six deliveries despite the side’s victory by an innings and 210 runs.
“I would like to see him have more first-class experience under his belt” – Steve Waugh on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Steve Waugh believes Vaibhav Suryavanshi should have considerable first-class experience before playing Test cricket for India. The 15-year-old has played only nine first-class matches in his still-young career.
Suryavanshi hasn’t been able to showcase his skills in the red-ball format, averaging a dismal 16.53 in 13 first-class innings.
“There will be different challenges for him in Test cricket. Bowlers have more scope to do things differently. I would like to see him have more first-class experience under his belt. You don’t want to throw him into Test cricket without a lot of three- or four-day cricket experience,” said Waugh (via the aforementioned source).
Vaibhav Suryavanshi will look to make amends for his low score in East Zone’s quarterfinal when they take on Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, starting August 30.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran