Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL Orange Cap prompts Madan Lal call for India A and Test cricket pathway

Former India all-rounder Madan Lal said 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should enter India’s set-up soon. Lal linked Sooryavanshi’s rise to strong results in the IPL.

Lal also said selection must protect team balance and confidence. The 1983 World Cup winner spoke in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Sooryavanshi was named the most valuable player in the just-finished IPL. Sooryavanshi led run scoring with 776 from 16 innings. Sooryavanshi averaged 48.50 and struck at 237.30. Sooryavanshi hit one century and five fifties. Sooryavanshi also won the Orange Cap.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 record season

Sooryavanshi also set a six-hitting record in IPL 2026. Sooryavanshi struck 72 sixes during the season. That beat Chris Gayle’s earlier IPL record of 59 in one season. Lal described the teenager as a rare talent. Lal said this form should lead to higher-level chances.

"He Sooryavanshi is extremely talented. Truly has a God gifted talent and mindset like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar,\" Madan Lal toldin an exclusive interview on Monday.

Lal said Sooryavanshi still needs red-ball proof to match the biggest names. Lal said long-form cricket tests technique, patience, and decision-making. Lal suggested controlled steps through high-quality matches. Lal pointed to Ireland games, India A tours, and three-day fixtures as useful preparation.

\"These players come once in a century. But to become great like them, he has to establish himself in Test cricket as well. Playing against Ireland, India A, 3-day matches will groom him well into the core of Indian cricket,\" the former all rounder said.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and India T20I selection balance

Lal said Sooryavanshi’s T20 ability already matches India’s leading options. Lal also warned that selection changes can cost other talented players their places. Lal compared Sooryavanshi with Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan. Lal said those batters are established and Sooryavanshi must prove consistency too.

\"Sooryavanshi is as good as Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan. But the latter are proven players, he has to prove himself at that level.\"

Lal said coaches will push for selection, but the XI must still fit together. Lal said Sooryavanshi should not be kept out too long. Lal said sitting outside could affect confidence. Lal also rejected the idea of shielding Sooryavanshi from pressure if form demands selection.

\"No one can play or bat like Sooryavanshi. The kind of game he has shown to the world, its unbelievable. Every coach would want him to play but one has to see the teams balance. He should not be sitting outside and his confidence will go. No question of saving him from anything,\" said Lal, also a former India coach.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi grooming plan and longer formats

Lal said development depends on how India manage Sooryavanshi’s next steps. Lal said assessment should include the longer version of the sport. Lal said the key is improving and raising standards. Lal added that position matters less once a player enters the core plans. Lal also called waiting in the dressing room a lesson.

\"Sooryavanshi is a top talent no doubt, but the bigger question is, how do you groom him into the next level. I would like to judge him only after seeing a longer version of the game.\"

\"What is needed is upgradation and stepping up of the game. Once he is into the scheme of things, it should not be a worry where and in which position he is playing. Its all about combination. I am sure, he will fit in. Let him wait in the dressing room if need be. Thats also a learning process,\" he noted.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi context as Madan Lal backs Virat Kohli

Lal also spoke about senior batters and India’s selection calls. Lal said Virat Kohli remained vital in ODIs. Lal questioned why Kohli left T20 and Test cricket. Lal said Kohli’s fitness and desire were clear. Lal said Kohli played without resting and still took injuries, showing strong commitment.

\"There should never be any question on Virat Kohlis ability, form and fitness in any format of the game. He did not sit out, or rest in any of the matches, got injured, that shows his hunger, commitment and passion for the game.\"

\"Kohli is a rarity. I couldnt understand why did he leave T20 and Test cricket. I think, he should have played two more years. He made his name in Test cricket. He was very successful as a player and captain. I cant say whether he should come back from retirement to play Test cricket again. It depends on his fitness and mindset.\"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi discussion alongside Shubman Gill and T20I leadership

Lal said Shubman Gill should return to India’s T20I plans. Lal said selectors must consider Gill in every format. Lal described Gill as a natural player for any format. Lal added that T20I batting orders should stay flexible. Lal also said a different T20 captain may help due to workload and pressure.

\"Gill should be back in T20Is playing for India. Selectors must think about Gill for all formats. He is such a natural player. He can play any level any format any day.\"

\"In T20I cricket one should be flexible in approach and batting order. But I would still prefer having a different captain in T20 format or less there is too much cricket & too much pressure.\"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi amid calls to keep Suryakumar Yadav

Lal opposed removing Suryakumar Yadav from India’s T20I side. Lal said selectors should give \"SKY\" more time. Lal pointed to a recent World Cup win for India. Lal also called Yadav a proven match winner. Lal said Yadav has also succeeded as a captain and should not be replaced.

\"Selectors should give SKY a longer rope. He has won a World Cup for India recently, how can one even think of dropping him? He is an extremely talented and proven match winner and a successful captain. No question of replacing him at all.\"

\"You just cant take away from him what he has achieved over the years. This has happened in India in the past. But I think its not happening any more. Talent is a talent and it cannot be ignored.\"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi article also covers Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma

Lal also discussed Rishabh Pant after Pant’s ODI omission for a home series against Afghanistan. Lal said Pant’s form has dipped due to focus issues. Lal linked that to changes after Pant’s accident. Lal said Pant has the skill for all formats. Lal said improvement depends on mindset, seriousness, and concentration.

\"Pant is an extremely talented player. He actually deserves to play all three formats. Depends on where he plays. It all boils down to his seriousness level and ability to concentrate. After the accident, his game has changed, there is a lack of concentration. It depends on his mindset. Pant is also a rare talent. I will tell him to be mentally tough and play to the best of his ability.\"

On Rohit Sharma, Lal said the batter should stay in ODI thinking. Lal praised Rohit Sharma’s style and timing. Lal described Rohit Sharma as a touch player and enjoyable to watch. The comments came as Lal weighed youth options like Sooryavanshi against experience, while urging selectors to judge players across formats and roles.

\"Rohit should always be considered for ODIs. What a player he is. No one can bat like him. He is a touch player. A very pleasant to watch the batsman.\"

With inputs from PTI