Kolkata: 15 years old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s emergence prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take a long-term view of his development, with secretary Devajit Saikia insisting the 15-year-old must be prepared for sustained success. The board wants the teenage sensation to follow the path of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and build a lasting international career.
Sooryavanshi’s future was discussed at the BCCI’s high-level review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, Saikia said the board was closely monitoring the youngster, while his participation in the Duleep Trophy final will depend on India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision.
“We want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or any player of his stature to continue and serve like Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends,” Saikia said.
“So we look at Vaibhav in a very serious manner. He’s monitored from every angle and every step he is taking forward in his international career. The BCCI is taking a very close look at his future.”
Saikia made it clear that the board’s priority is to protect Sooryavanshi’s long-term prospects rather than chase immediate results.
“We are very cautious that every right step he should take forward so that it should not be a one series or one year wonder,” Saikia added.
The teenager has already experienced both the highs and challenges that come with his rapid rise. After his sensational IPL 2026 campaign, Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest men’s international debutant, although his first T20I series against England did not go entirely to plan before he responded with 151 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe.
Sooryavanshi’s domestic form has continued to attract attention. He scored 92 off 81 balls in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone, becoming the youngest batter in the tournament’s history to register a half-century, before adding a brisk 40 in the second innings as East Zone reached the final.
His place in the final, however, remains subject to Gambhir’s call. East Zone will face South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 6, with KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj asked to play for South Zone. Sooryavanshi, along with Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan, will reportedly require approval from Gambhir to feature.
Saikia revealed that Sooryavanshi is not the only youngster being closely monitored. Around 10-15 emerging players are part of a targeted group being tracked through the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, with VVS Laxman involved in their training and skill development.
“We are looking at all the players, not only Vaibhav’s relevance, but there are about 10–15 players who are in our targeted group,” Saikia said.
“They are constantly monitored by our COE head, VVS Laxman, who is taking keen interest in their future and their training and skill development.”
Sooryavanshi is currently part of India’s T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on September 13, and will also be travelling as part of India’s Asian Games squad under coach VVS Laxman.
Saikia made it clear that the BCCI’s objective is not simply to maximise Sooryavanshi’s immediate impact but to build a career that can last for years.
“You see, the BCCI can be proud that we are promoting a player of the age of 15 years who is already making his mark in the international scenario and we are very cautious that every right step he should take forward so that it should not be a one series or one year wonder,” he said.
Importantly, the BCCI’s focus is not limited to Sooryavanshi. Saikia revealed that the board has identified a larger group of emerging players who are being monitored through the CoE.
“That our selectors are looking, we have a huge number of upcoming players who are doing good. If you look at our U19 Indian team, they are becoming champions recently also. Similarly, in women’s cricket also, we are world champions for the last two international U19 T20 World Cups,” he said.
“So we are looking at all the players, not only Vaibhav’s relevance, but there are about 10-15 players who are in our targeted group. Those are named in our targeted group list, and they are constantly monitored by our COE head, VVS Laxman, who is taking keen interest in their future and their training and skill development.”
