Watch: Sunil Gavaskar praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during IPL 2026 Eliminator and backs him for India call-up

Even a day after the breath-taking 97-run knock off 29 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in New Chandigarh, the world is yet to settle, as Sunil Gavaskar has backed the 15-year-old to make his India debut in England. 

Sooryavanshi is currently the leading run-getter of the IPL 2026 before the second qualifier of the event. He has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85 with four fifties and one century at the best score of 103 runs.

What Sunil Gavaskar said about Sooryavanshi's 97 off 29 that left everyone stunned

The firmer Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, felt everyone, except the Sunrisers Hyderabad management, players, and their fans, was disappointed with Sooryavanshi missing the fastest IPL century record, overtaking Chris Gayle in New Chandigarh.

Watch Sunil Gavaskar praising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi here- 

“What we saw last night was something very extraordinary. When you talk about someone's ability to hit six, the picture that comes to your mind is of a slogger, but this kid is not a slogger; this kid plays with a straight bat long-off over the bowler's head, at long-on hits such technically perfect sixes.” Gavaskar said on SportsTak.

“And, when the bowler bowls short balls, the way he comes inside the line & plays hooks & pulls, he hits very clean sixes. Last night, not just me but everyone except SRH players were sad when he missed his fastest 100.” The former Indian opener revealed about the Rajasthan Royals (RR) star. 

Gavaskar's verdict: Why the 15-year-old must be in India's T20 setup right now

The veteran felt that the 15-year-old had been prepared to feature for the national side in the shortest format and should be in the squad for their upcoming series against Ireland and England after the end of the IPL 2026.

“He is absolutely ready for T20Is.  hope that when India’s T20I squad for the England tour is selected, he gets a place in the team. He absolutely deserves it because after such a tremendous performance, if you won’t pick him now, then when will you?” Gavaskar addressed.

See Also: All 12 sixes by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in RR vs SRH IPL 2026 Eliminator — Full highlights | Watch

“Don’t look at his age. Don’t look at his age at all, because the way he is hitting boundaries against players who are 15 years older than him — players who have far more international cricket experience — and sending them into the stands, his age simply shouldn’t matter.” The former opener concluded.

97 off 29 was just a warning — Why Sooryavanshi is RR's X-factor in Qualifier 2 vs Gujarat Titans

Against Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi was the X-factor with the bat for the Royals as he blasted the game and took it away from Hyderabad in the first half-hour. The RR fans and the management will hope for another festive evening from him in the qualifier.

See Also: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's hat-trick sixes off Pat Cummins in RR vs SRH IPL 2026 Eliminator — Watch

In the same venue, the India batter will be up against the formidable bowling of the Gujarat Titans side, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, apart from Rashid Khan in the spin department. The winner between RR and GT will progress into the final of the IPL 2026 to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.