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Abhishek Sharma reveals Team India's approach to nurturing teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 'He asks questions'

Sooryavanshi has already left a positive impression on his teammates, with Abhishek Sharma praising the teenager's eagerness to learn.

Updated on: Jun 27, 2026, 13:26:07 IST
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been one of Indian cricket's biggest talking points in recent months following his breakthrough IPL campaign, where he announced himself with fearless batting against some of the world's best bowlers. The 15-year-old further enhanced his reputation in the India A tri-series final against Sri Lanka A, blasting 94 off just 29 balls. His whirlwind knock included a record-breaking 11-ball half-century, the fastest ever in List A cricket, underlining his extraordinary talent.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed out on India's playing XI against Ireland. (SLC)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed out on India's playing XI against Ireland. (SLC)

Sooryavanshi is currently on his maiden tour with India's senior team in Ireland, another significant milestone in his rapidly rising career. Although he did not feature in the opening T20I, with India retaining the opening pair that helped them win the T20 World Cup, his omission remained a major talking point. Many fans had hoped to see the teenage sensation make his senior international debut after his remarkable performances over the past few months.

Despite not making his senior debut in the series opener, Sooryavanshi has already left a positive impression on his teammates, with Abhishek Sharma praising the teenager's eagerness to learn and revealing that the squad is doing everything possible to help him settle into the dressing room.

"As a team, I think it's our responsibility to make him comfortable. And obviously he is a young guy and what I felt, he is very curious to play all the time. He is just learning right now. He asks questions, so I feel he has that in himself, where he wants to learn a lot of things, and obviously it's a dream for him too. So we are trying our best to make him feel that he belongs in the group," Abhishek told reporters after the first T20I.

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India batting misfired in Sooryavanshi's absence

Meanwhile, India opted against handing Sooryavanshi his debut in the first of the two T20Is against Ireland at Stormont, sticking with the opening combination that guided them to T20 World Cup glory. However, the move backfired as the visitors fell well short of the 183-run target, folding for 148 with seven balls to spare. Abhishek Sharma was the lone bright spot at the top of the order, smashing a brisk 49, while Shivam Dube's 25 was the next-highest score as the rest of India's batting line-up struggled to cope with Ireland's disciplined bowling attack.

  • Aditya Maheshwari
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    Aditya Maheshwari

    Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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