Guwahati: Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called for teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be included in India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of England, following the youngster’s explosive start to IPL 2026.

Sooryavanshi, 15, produced a match-winning 52 off just 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings, guiding Rajasthan Royals to an eight-wicket victory in their opening fixture. His aggressive strokeplay stood out in a modest chase of 128, where he dominated a 75-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Speaking after the match, Vaughan suggested that India should consider exposing the youngster to the senior team environment during the England tour, even if he does not immediately feature in the playing XI.

“When will he make his Indian debut? And I'm just looking, and I know we're probably getting ahead of ourselves. It's only the first innings of the IPL, but there's a white-ball tour to England in a few months' time. And if I was Indian cricket, I would get him on that tour,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.

He emphasised that early exposure to international dressing-room culture could accelerate Sooryavanshi’s development, adding that the left-hander already possesses the skillset required for the highest level.

The left-handed batter has been one of the most talked-about young players in world cricket, following consistent performances in both franchise and age-group cricket.

He had earlier made headlines in IPL 2025 with a quickfire century against Gujarat Titans, while also delivering standout performances in Under-19 cricket, including a match-winning knock in the World Cup final. 

Selection debate ahead of England tour

With India scheduled to tour England for a limited-overs series in the coming months, Sooryavanshi’s performances have added an interesting dimension to selection discussions. While a debut at 15 would be unprecedented in recent Indian cricket, the idea of integrating him into the squad as part of a long-term plan is gaining attention.