'He Thinks He Can Score a 30-Ball Hundred': Suryansh Shedge Hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Mindset

India all-rounder says teenage sensation's fearless mindset and unwavering self-belief make him one of the most exciting young talents ahead of the England T20I series

As debate continues over when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally make his India debut, teammate Suryansh Shedge believes the 15-year-old possesses one quality that cannot be taught-absolute belief in his own ability.

Speaking to JioStar ahead of India's five-match T20I series against England, Shedge lifted the lid on Sooryavanshi's fearless mentality, revealing the youngster is capable of brushing off failure almost instantly.

"His mentality is incredible," Shedge said.

"He genuinely enjoys batting and never overcomplicates things. He has such strong belief in his ability that even if he gets out for a duck, he doesn't let it affect him."

"He backs himself to score a hundred off 30 balls"

Shedge explained that Sooryavanshi's confidence is unlike anything he has seen in a young cricketer.

"He backs himself to score a hundred off 30 balls in the next game. That kind of self-belief is rare."

The all-rounder believes Sooryavanshi's greatest strength lies in his ability to completely forget the past and focus only on the present.

"He doesn't carry any baggage from the previous ball or the previous match. He lives in the moment and plays with complete freedom."

"That is what makes him so dangerous. He is the perfect example of being instinctive and playing without fear."

The comments come just days after Sooryavanshi missed out on making his international debut during India's 0-2 T20I series defeat to Ireland despite widespread expectations that he would feature.

Shedge recalls emotional India call-up

Shedge, who earned his maiden India call-up after an impressive IPL and domestic season, also reflected on the moment he realised his childhood dream had come true.

"The first time I really cried watching cricket was when India won the 2011 World Cup."

"That night, watching the Indian team lift the trophy, something changed inside me. I knew that this is what I wanted to do-represent my country on the biggest stage."

"When I received the Indian jersey and wore it for the first time, I can't describe that feeling."

"I have worked for this since childhood. Wearing that jersey is not just a dream come true; it's the start of a new journey."

Arshdeep Singh's emotional video call

The youngster also revealed that one of the first people to congratulate him after his India selection was senior pacer Arshdeep Singh.

"When my selection was confirmed, I received a video call from Arshdeep paaji."

"He congratulated me and shared his own experience of getting selected. I spoke to him for a while."

"It was a very emotional moment. It was really hard to process. Even now, it hasn't fully sunk in yet. It still feels like a dream."

Learning from captain Shreyas Iyer

Shedge also credited India captain Shreyas Iyer for helping him develop his game through constant cricket conversations.

"I talk a lot with Shreyas Iyer bhai. We spend a lot of time together off the field as well."

"We are constantly talking about cricket, about batting, bowling, match situations, and how to handle pressure."

"During the IPL season, we watch other games together and discuss what we would do in those situations."

"Those conversations are always healthy and keep going. It helps me learn a lot from his experience."

With India preparing to begin the England T20I series, Sooryavanshi's selection remains one of the biggest talking points after he was overlooked in Ireland. However, Shedge's glowing assessment offers a glimpse into why the teenage prodigy continues to generate so much excitement within the Indian dressing room, with his fearless approach and unwavering confidence already earning the admiration of teammates.