‘Very soon in all three formats’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tipped for Team India’s next big leap after record IPL run

At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already being spoken about as one of Indian cricket’s brightest future stars — and now, former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim has made a bold prediction about the youngster’s international future.

Karim believes it won’t be long before Sooryavanshi is seen representing India in all three formats.

The teenage prodigy first grabbed attention when he made his Indian Premier League debut in 2025 for Rajasthan Royals. While most expected nerves from a player so young, Sooryavanshi stunned everyone by smashing Shardul Thakur for a towering six on the very first ball he faced.

That fearless start was only the beginning.

Later that season, he slammed a sensational century, rewriting record books and announcing himself as a serious talent.

But if IPL 2025 was his arrival, IPL 2026 became his statement.

Sooryavanshi not only carried forward his momentum but dominated the tournament, finishing as the highest run-scorer and winning the coveted Orange Cap, outperforming established stars like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.

Karim admitted he initially had concerns about how the teenager would handle raw pace and hostile short-pitched bowling. Curious, he spoke with Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour.

Karim recalled asking whether Sooryavanshi could struggle against bowlers clocking 145-150 kmph, but Rathour’s reply was filled with confidence.

According to Karim, Rathour simply said, “Just wait and watch.”

That confidence now appears justified.

Karim praised Sooryavanshi’s ability to adapt quickly, calling it one of the strongest aspects of his batting.

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He noted that the youngster studies bowlers carefully, identifies their plans within a few deliveries, and adjusts his approach accordingly — a trait usually seen in far more experienced batters.

What has impressed experts even more is how Sooryavanshi has expanded his range of shots. From upper cuts against bouncers to inside-out drives and lofted cover shots, his game has evolved rapidly.

Karim even compared his IPL 2026 campaign to Virat Kohli’s iconic 2016 season, one of the greatest batting displays in IPL history.

In his words, if there is one IPL season after Kohli’s legendary run that deserves to be remembered for pure dominance, it is Sooryavanshi’s.

Currently part of India’s India national cricket team squad on the England tour, the youngster now has the cricketing world watching closely.

Karim believes his transition to the highest level is only a matter of time.

And if his IPL heroics are any indication, Indian cricket may have found its next generational superstar far sooner than expected.