Vaibhav Sooryavanshi skill and smarts a dangerous combo: Washington Sundar
Synopsis
Washington Sundar's endorsement of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Japan is more than a compliment — it's a signal of how seriously India's senior players rate the teenager's ceiling. Calling skill plus smarts a 'dangerous combo', Sundar essentially made the case that Sooryavanshi is already thinking like a veteran while still in his teens.
Key Takeaways
Washington Sundar praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a 'dangerous combo' of skill and cricket intelligence ahead of India's one-off T20I against Japan on 21 September 2026 in Sano, Japan .
Sundar said Sooryavanshi 'understands how to win battles against different oppositions and different conditions', highlighting his mental maturity.
The Chennai -based all-rounder invited Japanese fans to experience cricket in India, calling the sport 'like a religion' in the country.
Sundar credited the IPL , running since 2008 , as the gold standard of T20 franchise cricket and a key launchpad for Indian players.
He welcomed the growth of the Japan Premier League (JPL) and expressed hope that top JPL players could eventually reach the IPL.
Washington Sundar, India's off-spin bowling all-rounder, has lavished praise on teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the youngster's blend of raw talent and exceptional cricket intelligence makes him a match-winner capable of single-handedly turning games for India. Sundar made the remarks in Sano, Japan, on 21 September 2026, ahead of India's one-off T20I against Japan scheduled for Tuesday.
What Sundar Said About Sooryavanshi
Speaking to reporters at the pre-match media interaction, Sundar was effusive about the teenager's cricketing maturity. 'He's just extremely skillful and obviously, he's got a great head as well. He understands his own game and also understands how to win battles against different oppositions and different conditions as well,' Sundar said.
He went further, describing the combination of skill and intelligence as a rare and potent quality. 'He's extremely smart and being really smart along with his skill sets, along with the kind of skill sets that he's got, is obviously going to be a dangerous combo. He's already shown us what he's capable of and obviously, we can all expect him to win a lot of games for our country,' Sundar added.
Cricket as Religion: Sundar's Invitation to Japan
The Chennai-based all-rounder used the occasion to extend a warm invitation to Japanese sports fans to visit India during a major series or the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. 'You guys should just come to India and especially during a big series or even during an IPL and understand how big cricket is in India. Cricket is like a religion in India,' he said.
Sundar reflected on how deeply rooted the game is in Indian society, noting that virtually every child in the country grows up with cricket as an inseparable part of life. 'For me personally, it's always been cricket right from the childhood and yes, that would be the case with most of the people in India as well,' he observed.
IPL: The Gold Standard of T20 Franchise Cricket
Sundar credited the IPL — which completed its 17th edition and has run since 2008 — for setting a benchmark in global franchise cricket. 'Just the way it's been conducted over many years. A lot of quality players from India and many good and quality players around the world also enjoy being a part of the IPL. The quality of cricket has always been top class,' he said.
He also underscored the IPL's role as a transformative pathway for aspiring Indian cricketers. 'IPL created a beautiful platform for us to look forward to playing a franchise league as well, especially in the T20 format. It's the best league in this format,' Sundar noted, adding that young players today dream of featuring in both the IPL and the national side.
Sundar Welcomes Growth of Cricket in Japan
Commenting on the launch of the Japan Premier League (JPL) and the broader expansion of cricket in Japan, Sundar welcomed the development. 'Obviously, it's a great thing that cricket is played in Japan and the guys are playing a franchise league as well in Japan. It's only going to reach a lot more people across the world,' he said.
He expressed hope that standout JPL performers could eventually earn IPL contracts, saying he would personally track the league and encourage teammates to do the same. With the one-off T20I in Sano set to be a landmark moment for cricket in Japan, Sundar's words underline India's growing role as an ambassador for the global spread of the game.
Point of View
Not just his strokeplay. The Japan tour, often treated as a low-stakes assignment, is doubling up as a coming-of-age showcase for younger Indian talents far from the scrutiny of a packed home crowd. Sundar's IPL evangelism in Japan is also quietly strategic: the BCCI and franchise owners have clear incentives to cultivate new cricket markets, and personal endorsements from active Indian internationals carry more weight than any official promotional campaign.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Washington Sundar say about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Washington Sundar described Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a 'dangerous combo' of exceptional skill and high cricket intelligence, saying the teenager understands how to win battles across different oppositions and conditions. Sundar predicted Sooryavanshi would go on to win many matches for India.
Where and when did Washington Sundar make these comments?
Sundar made the remarks to reporters in Sano, Japan, on 21 September 2026, ahead of India's one-off T20I against Japan scheduled for Tuesday. The team is in Japan as part of a cricket outreach tour.
What is the India vs Japan one-off T20I about?
India is playing a one-off T20I against Japan in Sano, Japan, on 21 September 2026. The fixture is part of efforts to promote cricket in non-traditional markets and gives fringe or young Indian players international exposure.
What did Sundar say about the IPL?
Sundar called the IPL the best T20 franchise league in the world, crediting its consistent quality since its 2008 launch. He said the IPL has created a vital pathway for Indian cricketers and invited Japanese fans to attend matches to experience cricket's scale in India.
What did Sundar say about cricket in Japan and the Japan Premier League?
Sundar welcomed the growth of cricket in Japan and the launch of the Japan Premier League (JPL), saying it would help the sport reach more people globally. He said he would track JPL talent and encourage teammates to do the same, expressing hope that top Japanese players could eventually earn IPL contracts.
