Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said that the fearless approach of the younger generation is ushering in an exciting phase for Indian cricket, singling out Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — a 15-year-old — who took on one of Australia's best fast bowlers without hesitation during IPL 2026. Pathan made the remarks on the sidelines of the EUT20 Belgium jersey launch event, speaking to IANS on 29 April.

Sooryavanshi and the New Fearless Generation

Pathan was effusive in his praise for the mindset shift visible in India's youngest cricketers, noting that opponents' age and reputation no longer serve as psychological barriers. "It's an exciting time for Indian cricket. The way they play fearless cricket, and you know, they don't worry about anything. They don't worry about getting out. They don't worry about, you know, who's bowling in front of them. A 15-year-old boy goes and smacks one of Australia's best fast bowlers. So, there is no better side, you know, in cricket at the moment, especially from the Indian side," Pathan said.

Sooryavanshi's emergence at the IPL 2026 level has drawn widespread attention, with the teenager standing as a symbol of a deeper generational shift in Indian cricket's batting culture — one defined by aggression over caution at every level.

Pathan's Role in EUT20 Belgium

Beyond his commentary on Indian cricket, Pathan also spoke about his involvement in the EUT20 Belgium league, where he serves as co-owner and brand ambassador of the Ghent Gladiators. The inaugural edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place in Brussels from 6 to 14 June at the 12 Stars Cricket Club in Hofstade, organised in partnership with the Belgian Cricket Federation.

The league will feature five franchises — Liège Red Lions, Ghent Gladiators, Antwerp Anchors, JB Bruges, and Akcel United Brussels — blending local talent with international experience to promote the sport across mainland Europe.

A Platform for Associate Nation Talent

Pathan highlighted the growing pool of talent in associate cricket nations, pointing specifically to Ben Manenti of Italy as a player to watch. "It's an exciting time for European cricket and for youngsters around the world as well. We have one player from Italy in our team… Ben Manenti… he's an exciting talent. We have seen him doing some exciting things here during the T20 World Cup, which was played in India and Sri Lanka. So guys like them, and some of the other young talent who might be unknown so far, but they'll get something very special, they'll get some opportunity," he said.

The EUT20 Belgium aims to create a competitive environment that gives emerging talent from across Europe a meaningful platform, with organisers hoping the league can replicate the franchise-cricket success story in a new geography.

What This Means for Indian Cricket

Pathan's comments reflect a broader consensus building around India's talent pipeline. This comes amid a period in which IPL 2026 has already produced several standout moments from uncapped or teenage players, reinforcing the tournament's role as the world's most competitive proving ground. Notably, Sooryavanshi's ability to confront elite international pace bowling at 15 suggests the pipeline is not just deep — it is arriving earlier than ever before.

With the EUT20 Belgium kicking off in June 2026 and Indian teenagers rewriting IPL records, the next phase of global cricket's expansion — both at the elite and grassroots level — appears firmly underway.