Former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth heaped praise on 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi during the IPL 2026 season. The former cricketer called the Rajasthan Royals opening batsman the next “god” of cricket, and compared his early rise to Sachin Tendulkar’s international debut in 1989.
Suryavanshi is at fifth place among the highest run scorers, he has scored 246 runs in six matches at an average of 41.00 and an excellent strike rate of 236.53. The opening batsman will next be seen in action against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday, April 22, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is absolutely excellent and brilliant – Kris Srikkanth
Speaking on The Week’s Podcast, Chris Srikkanth gave a blunt assessment of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The former chief selector said the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee should abandon its gradual development approach and track Kishore immediately.
“This guy, Suryavanshi… imagine someone playing such shots. That guy is absolutely excellent and brilliant. Ajit, I’m telling you, you need to track him fast. In the next series, he should be playing,” Srikkanth told The Week.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi should be fast-tracked – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth further said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi showed a fearless approach against the top international fast bowlers. Srikkanth pointed out that Suryavanshi attacked Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood with confidence, proving that he has the ability to win matches on his own.
Srikkanth said, “I think Suryavanshi should be promoted quickly. There is no question of ‘give him time, let him be consistent’. No chance. That guy can win matches for you like that. Imagine, he hits Bumrah for a six on the first ball… He doesn’t care who the bowler is. He is a prodigy.”
India will have a busy T20 schedule after the IPL, while the focus will be towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Men in Blue will begin the international season with a one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan from June 6 to 20.
They will then play two T20Is in Ireland from 26–28 June, followed by five T20Is against England from 1–11 July, as well as a three-match ODI series. India will play three T20 matches on the Zimbabwe tour from July 23-26.
Towards the end of the year, India will host the West Indies for three ODIs before facing them in five T20Is from October 6 to 17. The season will conclude with a home series against Sri Lanka, consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is from 13 to 27 December.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi can become the next ‘demigod’ of cricket – Chris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth recalled his captaincy experience with Sachin Tendulkar during the Pakistan tour in 1989. The veteran compared the current Rajasthan Royals sensation to Tendulkar and predicted a similar stellar career for the explosive 15-year-old batsman.
Srikkanth said, “When I went as captain in 1989, there was a prodigy – 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar. Today, he is the God of cricket. Similarly, this boy can become the next ‘God’ of cricket.”
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer also praised the teenage talent, praising his smooth bat swing and composed nature while acknowledging his bright future.
Shreyas Iyer said, “He is a brilliant talent… The way he has the flow, rhythm and pace of the bat, I think he is one for the future.”
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