New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has thrown his weight behind teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a senior India debut, praising the youngster’s remarkable batting intelligence following another standout performance in IPL 2026.
Although Rajasthan Royals’ campaign ended with a defeat to the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, Sooryavanshi’s explosive 96 off 47 balls once again grabbed the spotlight and strengthened calls for his inclusion in the national team setup.
Parag said the 15-year-old’s success cannot be attributed merely to aggressive stroke play, highlighting his ability to read conditions, assess situations and construct an innings with maturity rarely seen at such a young age. He expressed hope that the talented batter would soon represent India and continue bringing success both for the country and the Royals franchise.
The young opener has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the season, with several former cricketers already urging the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar to consider him for a T20 International debut.
Reflecting on the match, Parag felt Rajasthan’s total of 215 was competitive but not enough on a surface that became easier to bat on in the second innings. He noted that a score in the range of 230 to 240 would have posed a much tougher challenge for Gujarat’s batting lineup.
The Titans were powered by a dominant 167-run opening partnership between captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who guided their side comfortably into the final.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the title clash, Parag viewed the season as a major achievement for Rajasthan Royals. He admitted that the team was not widely expected to reach the playoffs due to its youthful squad, lack of experience and several new combinations tried throughout the tournament.
According to the Royals skipper, the team’s journey to Qualifier 2 demonstrated the character and potential of a young group that exceeded expectations. He described the campaign as the beginning of a promising long-term project, with emerging stars like Sooryavanshi providing plenty of reasons for optimism about the future.
