Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest India T20I Player After IPL Orange Cap

Fifteen‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of the Rajasthan Royals captured the IPL 2026 Orange Cap, scoring 776 runs at a strike‑rate of 237 and earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. His performances earned him a maiden call‑up to the Indian men’s T20 International side, making him the youngest player ever to receive an India cap, surpassing the record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.

Sooryavanshi’s rise also prompted notable changes in the national squad, with out‑of‑form senior bowler Suryakumar Yadav dropped and Shreyas Iyer promoted. The selection committee highlighted a shift toward youth and form over sentiment as India prepares for upcoming overseas tours and future world tournaments.