Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, has been included in India’s T20 squads to play England and Ireland this summer.
Sooryavanshi had a stunning Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign for Rajasthan Royals, finishing top of the batting charts with 776 runs and breaking Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in a season.
The left-handed opener, who was the first player in IPL history to be named both the Most Valuable Player and the Best Emerging Player, has now been picked for two T20 matches in Ireland, followed by five games in England, starting on July 1.
Should Sooryavanshi make his debut against either Ireland or England, he would become the youngest player to represent an Indian men’s senior team, bettering great Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut aged 16 years and 205 days in 1989.
Sooryavanshi is in line for his international debut in Belfast, with India taking on Ireland in two T20s at Stormont Cricket Ground on June 26 and 28.
A reunion with Royals team-mate Jofra Archer could then be on the cards as India take on England in a five-match series from July 1-11.
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Rob Jones talks us through the career of the Indian sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who at only 15-years-old is taking the cricket world by storm
“We’ve seen what he can do; (he) almost single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals,” selection panel chairman Ajit Agarkar told reporters.
“Not just this season. He had a great start and to back it up in a competition that is as competitive and high-pressure, he’s a game-changer. We’ve got high hopes of him and he has picked himself.”
India will be captained by Shreyas Iyer in both assignments, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, who has been dropped despite overseeing their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign on home soil earlier this year.
Yadav made 242 runs in nine innings in the tournament at a strike rate of 136.72 although he had a modest IPL, averaging 20.76 in 13 knocks.
Talismanic fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested, having struggled during the IPL, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya also sits out the tour, with uncapped fast bowler Prince Yadav called up.
‘Game-changer’ – watch Sooryavanshi in action
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Sooryavanshi continued to break records after scoring another IPL century for the Rajasthan Royals
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Sooryavanshi just missed out on a century but hit an impressive 10 sixes for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants
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Sooryavanshi racked up an incredible 96 runs after a batting masterclass during the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans
England vs India T20 schedule
First T20 (Wednesday July 1) – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham (5.30pm)
Second T20 (Saturday July 4) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (2.30pm)
Third T20 (Tuesday July 7) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (5.30pm)
Fourth T20 (Thursday July 9) – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (5.30pm)
Fifth T20 (Saturday July 11) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (2.30pm)