Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in line for India debut as selectors prepare T20 reset, Patidar may replace Suryakumar
The 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is firmly knocking on the door of the senior India team after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. According to a reports the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is seriously considering fast-tracking Sooryavanshi into the senior T20I set-up. The batter could get a maiden T20I cap for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. The selectors are also reportedly looking at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s title-winning captain Rajat Patidar as a direct replacement for Suryakumar Yadav in the side.
Pujnab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is set to replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain ahead of the upcoming white-ball assignments. The selection committee is expected to meet on Saturday to finalise squads for the white-ball tour of the United Kingdom and the Asian Games.
According to the reports, Suryakumar Yadav is not only set to lose the captaincy but could also be left out of the squad altogether because of a prolonged dip in his form over the past 18 months. The report suggests that Shreyas Iyer has emerged as the preferred choice to lead India’s T20 side and is expected to occupy the No. 4 position in the batting order while taking charge of the team. The middle order batter has led three different IPL franchises — Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings — to tournament finals, winning one title during that period.
Young batter Tilak Varma is reportedly set to be named vice-captain of the T20 side while the inclusion of 15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the biggest talking point of the team India’s blueprint. The teenager is expected to receive his maiden call-up to the senior national team, marking a significant milestone in his rapidly rising career. The report further suggests that Sooryavanshi could also feature in India’s squad for the Asian Games scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya later this year.
The selectors could also recall experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar following his strong IPL campaign. However, the selection committee is prioritizing team India’s long-term planning, particularly with the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup on the horizon.
The BCCI is expected to announce separate squads for the UK tour and the Asian Games, with the latter event coinciding with a bilateral white-ball series against the West Indies.