AB de Villiers backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India T20I squad
Synopsis
Two of cricket's most celebrated names — AB de Villiers and Shane Watson — have gone on record backing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India T20I call-up. After 776 IPL runs and an MVP award, the Rajasthan Royals opener is now on the verge of becoming India's youngest-ever international cricketer.
Key Takeaways
AB de Villiers publicly endorsed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection in India's T20I squad , saying he 'deserves his place'.
Shane Watson named Vaibhav as the current Indian cricketer whose quality he would most want to emulate, citing all-round power and fearlessness.
Vaibhav, aged 15 , earned his call-up after finishing as IPL 2026's leading run-scorer with 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals , including 1 century and 5 half-centuries .
He was named the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2026 .
A debut in the upcoming T20I series would make him India's youngest-ever international cricketer .
South African batting legend AB de Villiers has publicly endorsed the selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India's T20I squad, declaring the teenage opener has done more than enough to justify his place at the highest level. Speaking at a private event, de Villiers said the selectors had no real choice once they looked at the evidence.
De Villiers Makes the Case
'It would have been easy to say that he's still too young and he's not ready and go for more experience. He's broken down the door, and he deserves his place in the India T20 team, so I'm happy for him,' de Villiers said. The former South Africa captain acknowledged that overlooking Vaibhav in favour of a more seasoned campaigner would have been the path of least resistance — but argued the youngster's performances had made that option untenable.
Shane Watson Joins the Chorus
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson was equally effusive at the same event, singling out Vaibhav when asked which quality he would borrow from a current Indian cricketer. Watson pointed specifically to the teenager's ability to hit boundaries in every arc of the ground. 'Number one, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, for the power that he's got all around the ground, not just straight or to the leg side. Not just straight or to the leg side, it's also over the offside,' Watson said.
Watson went further, highlighting the mental dimension of Vaibhav's game as equally striking. 'And also to go with that, Vaibhav's fearless mindset as well. He's got no fear of getting out, which is something that I struggled with for a decent part of my career,' he added — a candid admission that underscores just how rare the quality is, even among elite players.
The IPL 2026 Campaign That Changed Everything
Vaibhav received his maiden senior India call-up on Saturday following a record-breaking IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed opener finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 776 runs, which included one century and five half-centuries. He was subsequently named the Most Valuable Player of the season — a recognition that cemented his status as the breakout star of the tournament.
Historic Selection and What Comes Next
The call-up has placed Vaibhav among the youngest players ever named in an Indian senior squad. Should he make his debut in the upcoming T20I series, he stands to become India's youngest international cricketer on record. This comes amid a broader BCCI push to fast-track young talent identified through the IPL pipeline, a policy that has already reshaped India's white-ball depth in recent seasons. The cricket world will be watching closely when Vaibhav steps onto the international stage for the first time.
Point of View
It is not flattery — it is a signal. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 776-run IPL campaign was not a fluke of conditions or matchups; it was a sustained statement across a full tournament. The more instructive detail is Watson's admission that Vaibhav possesses a mental quality — zero fear of dismissal — that Watson himself struggled to develop over a long international career. India has a history of fast-tracking young talent only to overload them with expectation; the real test for the selectors will be managing Vaibhav's workload and environment, not just his selection.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did AB de Villiers back Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India T20I selection?
De Villiers argued that Vaibhav's performances during IPL 2026 made it impossible for selectors to overlook him, saying the teenager had 'broken down the door' and earned his place on merit. He acknowledged it would have been easy to pick a more experienced player but felt the youngster's record justified the call.
How did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi perform in IPL 2026?
Vaibhav finished as IPL 2026's leading run-scorer with 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals, including one century and five half-centuries. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
What did Shane Watson say about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Watson singled out Vaibhav as the current Indian cricketer whose qualities he would most want to adopt, specifically praising his ability to clear the boundary in all directions and his fearless mindset. Watson noted that the absence of fear of getting out was a quality he himself had struggled to develop.
How young is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and what record could he break?
Vaibhav is 15 years old. If he makes his debut in the upcoming T20I series, he is set to become India's youngest-ever international cricketer.
Which team does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play for in the IPL?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi represents Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. His 776-run season in IPL 2026 directly led to his maiden India senior squad call-up.
