Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets ultimate endorsement from Graeme Swann after India call-up: ‘Absolute world-beater’

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection is a boost not just for India but for world cricket.

Updated on: Jun 6, 2026, 18:52:12 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden India call-up at just 15 years of age after a remarkable IPL season that established him as one of the brightest young talents in the country. The Rajasthan Royals batter enjoyed a record-breaking campaign, winning the Orange Cap and finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 776 runs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hailed as world cricket's next superstar by Graeme Swann. (AP Photo)

Sooryavanshi's fearless approach caught widespread attention as he smashed 76 sixes during the season, the highest tally ever recorded by a player in a single IPL edition. He also rewrote several batting records while maintaining a staggering strike rate of 237.30, making him one of the standout performers of the tournament. His exploits left the selectors with little choice but to fast-track him into the national setup. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that Sooryavanshi's performances were impossible to ignore, with the teenager earning selection in India's T20I squads for the England and Ireland tours, as well as the upcoming Asian Games.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes Sooryavanshi's selection is a boost not just for India but for world cricket, praising the 15-year-old for exceeding expectations during his record-breaking IPL campaign. Swann admitted he had doubts about whether the teenager could handle the challenge of facing elite bowlers, but said Sooryavanshi answered every question with remarkable maturity and skill.

"I'm glad he has been picked, for the sake of world cricket. He's the box-office man of the moment. I think he should play against Ireland. I wasn't entirely sure how good he was coming into this IPL. I knew he had talent, and he scored a big hundred in the U19 World Cup Final. But I thought world-class bowlers would find him out. There would be too much pace and too much planning against him. However, every question that was asked of him, he answered with aplomb," Swann said on JioStar's 'Cricket Live'.

Also Read - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘forced’ BCCI, Ajit Agarkar to pick him at 15; decision taken one hour before India squad reveal

“This kid is the real deal”

The former England spinner said the youngster's fearless assault on world-class bowlers, including Pat Cummins, showed he was ready for international cricket and argued that India had every reason to fast-track a player he believes can dominate the game for years to come.

"The 97 he scored in the Eliminator, I've rarely seen hitting like that. As he was smashing Pat Cummins all over the ground, I was thinking, 'This kid is the real deal.' I didn't see the point of not involving him, or not bringing him into the senior team, because you've got an absolute world-beater on your hands for the next 20 years," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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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