Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image credit: ICC)
New Delhi: Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been making headlines time and again – and with good reason. With his fearless batting style, brute power, easy sixes and ability to break up bowling attacks, he became a fan favorite in no time.Last year, in particular, was great for the guys. And with IPL 2026 just around the corner, there’s a big change – he’s no longer 14.
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Sooryavanshi turned 15 on Friday (March 27), celebrating his birthday just a day before the start of IPL 2026.Is he eligible to play for Team India (First Team)?Questions like – Is Sooryavanshi eligible to play for India’s senior national team? Will he break into the side? When will he debut? – I have been asked repeatedly.
Now, with the youngster officially turning 15, he is eligible to take part in senior international cricket as per the ICC Player Eligibility Regulations (Rule 4).As per the ICC Player Eligibility Regulations, Clause 4, Age-Based Eligibility Clause 4.1 states that “Article 4 Age-Based Eligibility,” a player will only be eligible to represent the National Cricket Association in an international match (including ICC and U19 events) if he or she is aged 15 or over on the date of submission of the relevant team (in the case of ICC events including U19 events) or on the date of the first match of the series/tournament played (in the case of All other international matches).
“Following the introduction of these regulations in November 2020, the ICC set a minimum age of 15 years to participate in international cricket (Under-19 level and above), taking into account the welfare and physical safety of minors, including while travelling.Will India soon be called for Sooryavanshi? It remains to be seen.The youngster has captured global attention with his impressive performance in his maiden IPL season in 2025.In just his second match in the Indian Premier League, he smashed 100 off 35 balls.His heroics in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, coupled with his impressive outings in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy and 2025 Ranji Trophy, were remarkable.After his success in the Indian Premier League, Sooryavanshi was included in the India U19 squad, where he continued to impress.U-19 World Cup 2026 (Player of the Tournament): Sooryavanshi led India to their sixth title, highlighted by a stunning 175 off 80 balls (including a 15-ball catch) in the final against England.Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Became the youngest player to score the century list at the age of 14 years and 272 days. During his 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, he broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the feat in just 59 balls.Ranji Trophy 2025–26: Appointed vice-captain of Bihar at the age of 14, scored his maiden first-class fifty with 67 balls and 93 against Meghalaya, almost becoming Ranji’s youngest centurion.Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: He continued his white-ball dominance with an unbeaten 108 and a fifty (50 off 34 balls) against Maharashtra, and showed improved maturity in the pace of his innings.Rising Stars Asia Cup (Doha): Representing India A, he smashed a ‘whirlwind’ 144 off 42 balls against UAE.
