Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's surge adds pressure on Indian cricket veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Teenage Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become a focal point of the India A squad in the ongoing tri‑nation List A series in Dambulla. In the opening match against Sri Lanka A he made 14 runs before being caught at mid‑off, followed by a more aggressive 44 off 22 balls versus Afghanistan A, and a brief 21‑run cameo in a later game. His earlier IPL 2026 season produced 776 runs, an Orange Cap, and a century, earning him spots in India’s T20I squads and the U‑19 World Cup title run.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann said Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise intensifies scrutiny on senior batsmen Rohit Sharma (39) and Virat Kohli (37) ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, noting the veterans are now under “added pressure” to retain their places. The Sooryavanshi family has also attracted attention after Vaibhav’s younger brother Aashirwad scored a century in a local practice match in Samastipur, Bihar, highlighting a potential new cricketing dynasty.

The tri‑series continues with India A facing Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A twice each, with the top two teams advancing to the final.