Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has admitted that he is eagerly waiting to see teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in action during India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against England. The legendary pacer even revealed that he could be “starstruck” watching the 15-year-old bat, highlighting the growing excitement around one of cricket’s most talked-about young talents.
India recently included Suryavanshi in their senior T20I squad for the first time ahead of the white-ball assignments against Ireland and England. The call-up comes after a string of eye-catching performances, including a sensational 11-ball half-century in the Tri-Nations Series final against Sri Lanka.
Stuart Broad’s honest admission on the prospects of watching Vaibhav Suryavnashi
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Broad did not hold back in his praise for the young batter and even urged India to consider playing him in the opening T20I at Chester-le-Street on July 1.
“He’s got it all, hasn’t he? He’s got it all. He’s even getting into sledging now. OK, the cricket’s too easy. 11 balls. That’s crazy. I’m sure you’re probably not hoping, but I’m doing the first T20 up in Durham against India. I just hope he plays. I really, I’ve actually got to be honest, I think I might be starstruck by him,” Broad said.
The former England quick’s comments underline the remarkable impact Suryavanshi has made despite his young age. His fearless approach and ability to dominate bowling attacks have earned him admirers across the cricketing world, including some of the game’s biggest names.
Broad’s excitement also reflects the curiosity surrounding how the teenager will fare when faced with international-quality bowling in unfamiliar English conditions.
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Conversations With Dinesh Karthik Strengthened Broad’s View
Broad revealed that his admiration for Suryavanshi was reinforced after speaking with former India wicketkeeper-batter and coach Dinesh Karthik, who has had the opportunity to observe the youngster closely.
The England legend explained that he specifically sought Karthik’s opinion about the teenage sensation and was left amazed by the glowing feedback he received.
“And do you know what? It’s not just us buying into the hype. You’ve obviously seen him, you’ve kept to him. I’ve spent the week with Dinesh Karthik, who’s one of the coaches, an assistant coach at RCB. And, of course, I’m like, seriously, what do you think of this guy? He’s unbelievable. He’s seriously unbelievable. You can’t get your head around how good this kid is,” Broad added.
Such praise from experienced cricketers has only heightened expectations around Suryavanshi’s future. While many young players require time to adjust to the pressures of senior international cricket, the left-hander has consistently shown a level of confidence and maturity beyond his years.
As India gear up for the T20I series against England, one of the biggest talking points will be whether Suryavanshi gets an opportunity to make his international debut. If he does, he will have the backing of fans, teammates, and at least one former England great who cannot wait to watch him bat.
