15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become one of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026 with his fearless approach and remarkable consistency for Rajasthan Royals. The teenage prodigy has not only impressed fans with his strokeplay but has also caught the attention of former cricketers and experts, many of whom believe he could become a future star for Indian cricket across formats.
Suryavanshi has enjoyed a dream season so far, emerging as Rajasthan Royals’ highest run-scorer in the tournament. In just 10 innings, the young left-hander has piled up 404 runs while displaying maturity far beyond his age. His ability to attack both pace and spin with confidence has made him one of the standout performers of the season.
The youngster’s fearless batting style, combined with his composure under pressure, has triggered discussions around a possible fast-tracked entry into India’s T20I setup. Several experts believe his natural attacking game is tailor-made for white-ball cricket. However, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara feels Suryavanshi’s long-term future should not be limited to the shorter formats alone.
Cheteshwar Pujara explains why Test cricket should remain a priority for Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Known for his own resilience and success in the longest format, Pujara spoke highly of the youngster and stressed the importance of Test cricket in shaping a cricketer’s temperament and overall character.
According to Pujara, Suryavanshi has all the qualities to succeed at the highest level if he receives the right guidance and opportunities in the future. While acknowledging the teenager’s excellence in T20 cricket, the veteran batter said that every young player should aspire to play Test cricket because it teaches discipline, patience, and respect for the game.
Pujara stated that Suryavanshi would eventually earn opportunities with the Indian team because of the way he has been performing in IPL 2026. He added that only time will determine whether the youngster becomes a regular in Test cricket, but if he possesses the ability and temperament, he should certainly pursue the red-ball format.
“Vaibhav is such a player who is doing very well in T20 cricket, and he will definitely get a chance in the Indian team. Whether he plays Test cricket or not, only time will tell. If he has the potential, opportunity, time, and he can play his game, then he should definitely play Test cricket, because your temperament, your ability, and the respect that you talk about come from Test cricket. So definitely, Test cricket should be there in each and every young player’s mind,” Pujara said as quoted by ANI.
The former India batter also pointed out that modern cricket allows players to specialise in different formats. He cited examples of players who excel in white-ball cricket and said there is nothing wrong with having format-specific cricketers. However, he maintained that Test cricket continues to remain the ultimate challenge for any batter.
“I do agree that Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game, but that doesn’t mean that the white ball specialist players don’t have that ability. If there is a white-ball specialist, like Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) and Shreyas Iyer, then they should be playing that format. There should be different players for different formats,” added Pujara.
Bright future awaits Indian cricket’s teenage prodigy
Suryavanshi’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. At an age when most cricketers are still learning the basics of competitive cricket, he is already delivering match-winning performances on one of the biggest stages in the sport.
What has impressed observers the most is not just his aggressive batting but also his game awareness and confidence against experienced international bowlers. Despite the enormous spotlight surrounding him, the teenager has shown remarkable calmness and maturity throughout the season.
With IPL franchises, fans, and former cricketers rallying behind him, the expectations around Suryavanshi will only continue to grow. While a senior India debut may still take some time, his performances have already established him as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket.
