Jos Buttler Highlights Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Unprecedented Fame Ahead of India Debut

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's much-anticipated debut for the Indian cricket team is imminent. The 15-year-old batting sensation has been included in the squad for the upcoming two-match T20I series against Ireland this month and will also accompany the team for a five-match white-ball series in England scheduled for July. Whichever match marks his international debut, Sooryavanshi is set to become the youngest player to ever represent India in cricket.

Excitement for the young talent is already palpable in England, especially after his impressive performance during the IPL 2026 season, which prompted selectors to integrate him into the national team. His rising profile has made him a focal point of discussions in English media and cricket shows, positioning him as a key figure in India's forthcoming tour.

Former England captain Jos Buttler has been following Sooryavanshi's journey closely and has discussed his potential on his YouTube podcast, For The Love of Cricket, co-hosted with Stuart Broad. In a recent episode, Buttler expressed his admiration for the teenager’s achievements, stating, "15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has got a deserved call-up into an incredibly strong India side. So strong that they have dropped their World Cup-winning captain. He was a serious, serious player."

Buttler also shared insights from a conversation with Ashish Kapoor, an assistant coach for the Gujarat Titans, regarding the immense hype surrounding Sooryavanshi compared to that of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16 during the 1989 tour of Pakistan. Buttler noted, "The real difference is that everyone has seen Vaibhav. He's not played international cricket, yet he is already so famous because of social media."

He elaborated that, unlike Tendulkar's era, when fans relied on newspapers and live matches to follow budding talents, Sooryavanshi's highlights and performances are readily accessible online, enhancing his visibility. Buttler emphasized, "Vaibhav is incredibly well known already. He was the MVP of the tournament, scored more than 700 runs at a strike rate above 200. Any player putting up those numbers gets picked. He absolutely deserves his place."

Currently, Sooryavanshi is competing with the India A squad in a one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka. After concluding his commitments there, he will head to Ireland for the T20I series commencing on June 26, before joining the main squad for the much-anticipated tour of England.