Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India debut: Sourav Ganguly urges calm expectations before UK tour

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should get time to adjust to international cricket.

Ganguly urged that expectations stay low as Sooryavanshi nears an India debut. Sooryavanshi entered India’s T20 squads for tours of Ireland and England. Sooryavanshi was also named for the Asian Games in Japan.

Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to be picked in the Indian cricket team. The selection followed performances in the IPL, where Sooryavanshi drew attention as a batter. Ganguly spoke in an exclusive interaction during the launch of Kabuni on Sunday. Ganguly said the focus should remain on letting Sooryavanshi settle into the new level.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India debut expectations

"I think we should let him be, hes just 15-year-old and I dont think hell bother too much about pressure and thats what we get to see him in the IPL," Ganguly said. Ganguly also called for patience from observers. "… so just let him be, dont expect the world from him straightaway. Just allow him to settle down because you know hes got a lot of talent like many others in India," Ganguly said.

Ganguly said conditions in the UK will test Sooryavanshi in new ways. "Obviously, playing for India is different and he will be touring where the wickets will be a little different," Ganguly said. "It will seam and there will be a bit more bounce and a bit more movement with the new ball, so the game is a bit different, but I think hes got enormous talent," Ganguly added.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India debut backed by AB de Villiers

Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers said Sooryavanshi’s age should not block selection. "It is easy to say that he is still too young or he is not ready or needs to go for more experience," de Villiers said. "… but he has broken down the door for selection and he deserves his place in the Indian T20 team so I am happy for him," de Villiers added.

Sooryavanshi’s selections set up a quick move from domestic attention to international duties. Ganguly’s comments stressed adjustment over instant results, especially in Ireland and England. De Villiers focused on merit and said the selection was earned. The tours and the Asian Games in Japan will show how Sooryavanshi adapts to new conditions.

Kabuni, an innovative AI-driven global sports platform, officially launched at its inaugural Playtime 2026 event in Mumbai, marking a significant step towards making world-class cricket coaching more accessible to players of all skill levels.

Blending sport, technology and interactive learning, Kabuni offers a first-of-its-kind training experience by using advanced artificial intelligence to provide real-time, personalised coaching insights. The platform aims to help cricketers enhance their skills anytime and from anywhere, regardless of their experience level.

As part of its global rollout, Kabuni also introduced its lineup of "Super Coaches" featuring cricket icons Sourav Ganguly, Shane Watson, AB de Villiers and Shreyas Iyer. The star-studded panel will help mentor and inspire aspiring cricketers through interactive challenges, training programmes and youth-focused tournaments designed to nurture the next generation of talent.

Kabuni's founder, Nimesh Patel commented: "For too many young cricketers in India, the biggest barriers are access to high-quality coaching, competitive pathways, and consistent development. Kabuni is designed to change that. By combining AI-powered coaching with new youth competitions, we're creating a platform where every young player can train, improve and be recognised - wherever they are, whatever their background.

"India is just the beginning. What we're building here is a blueprint for the future of sport, one that we believe can scale globally, unlocking potential and creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes everywhere."