“Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India
A Rising Star Receives High Praise
The landscape of Indian cricket is perpetually shifting, but rarely has a teenager captured the collective imagination quite like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Following an extraordinary run in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), the young batter has become a household name. Amidst the swirling speculation regarding a potential international debut, established star Sarfaraz Khan has stepped forward to offer his support, firmly believing that his young friend is destined for greatness. Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai, Sarfaraz emphasized that “Can Play all”: Sarfaraz Khan backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to excel across all three formats for India, suggesting that the youngster’s skill set is not confined to the shorter formats of the game.
A Glimpse into the Past: The First Impression
Sarfaraz Khan’s endorsement carries weight, not merely because of his own standing in the Indian setup, but because his assessment of Sooryavanshi dates back years. Their paths first crossed in January 2024, when a 12-year-old Sooryavanshi made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar against Mumbai. While the match resulted in a defeat for Bihar, Sarfaraz noted that the raw talent was impossible to ignore even then.
Reflecting on that initial encounter, Sarfaraz stated, “He is a very good friend of mine, and we stay in touch. I first saw him during that Ranji debut, and even then, I could see that he had great skill.” This long-standing connection provides Sarfaraz with a unique perspective on the evolution of Sooryavanshi’s game, transitioning from a precocious domestic debutant to a global T20 phenomenon.
Mastery Across Formats
While many critics argue that young players should be eased into international cricket through T20s, Sarfaraz is convinced that Sooryavanshi possesses the technical foundation to succeed in red-ball and white-ball cricket alike. This versatility is supported by the teenager’s impressive track record in age-group cricket. Before his IPL exploits, Sooryavanshi was a standout performer at the Under-19 level, famously scoring 175 runs off just 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England.
His dominance extended to Youth Tests, where he recorded one of the fastest centuries in history. Furthermore, his List-A performances, including a blistering 190 off 84 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcase a player who can manipulate fields and accelerate at will, regardless of the game’s length.
Work Ethic: The Secret to Success
Beyond natural talent, Sarfaraz highlighted that Sooryavanshi’s preparation is what truly sets him apart from his peers. In a professional environment where talent is common, mindset becomes the ultimate differentiator. “His mindset and preparation are different,” Sarfaraz remarked. “Anyone can succeed with hard work, but he has worked extremely hard on his game.”
This dedication bore fruit in the 2026 IPL season, where Sooryavanshi secured the Orange Cap with 776 runs in 16 matches. With an average of 48.50 and a staggering strike rate of 237, his performance included 72 sixes—a record for a single season. These figures are not merely statistics; they represent a level of maturity and execution that is rare for a player of his age.
Looking Ahead to the International Stage
The clamor for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the Indian national team continues to grow. Reports have already linked him to a potential call-up for the upcoming England tour, and the cricket fraternity is eager to see if he can replicate his domestic dominance on the international stage. If Sarfaraz Khan’s assessment holds true, Indian cricket may have found a rare gem capable of anchoring batting lineups across all three formats for years to come. Whether he is donning the whites for a Test match or wearing the blue jersey for a T20 clash, the trajectory of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is one to watch with great anticipation.
