On a regular Saturday, Manish Ojha was coaching his students at Gen Next Academy in Patna when he received news that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, one of his students, had been selected for India’s senior men’s T20I team. Vaibhav’s exceptional performance in the U-19 World Cup and IPL had led to this well-deserved opportunity.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 15 years old, has made history with his remarkable achievements. His outstanding performance in the 2026 IPL, where he scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, caught the attention of selectors. He also holds the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season.
Before joining the senior team, Vaibhav will play for India A in a tri-series in Sri Lanka. He is the youngest player to be selected in the Indian men’s squad since Sachin Tendulkar. Ojha, recalling Vaibhav’s journey, emphasizes the player’s growth and maturity in the sport.
Despite the accolades and comparisons to Tendulkar, Ojha sees this as just the beginning for Vaibhav. He believes Vaibhav has the potential to excel in all formats of the game and play a significant role in Indian cricket for years to come.
