Cricket

Ajinkya Rahane states that IPL and international cricket differ significantly.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 6, 2026, 07:31 IST

Ajinkya Rahane, a former Indian cricketer, has called for patience regarding young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing it's premature to forecast his future.

Ajinkya Rahane states that IPL and international cricket differ significantly.

Ajinkya Rahane, the former Indian cricket star, has called for patience regarding the young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing that it is premature to make predictions about his future in Test cricket. Rahane highlighted the importance of allowing the 15-year-old to develop his skills, noting the stark differences between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international cricket.

Sooryavanshi's initial foray into international cricket has been a rollercoaster. After facing challenges during his debut tour in England, he made a remarkable comeback in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he was named Player of the Series. Rahane, speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, remarked, "It's tough to say or comment on right now. I don't want to say anything and put pressure on that young kid because people are already talking a lot about him. It's just two IPL seasons." He further elaborated on the pressures of international play, stating, "What I've realized is that IPL and international cricket are completely different. The pressure when you represent your country is enormous."

Sooryavanshi's Journey in International Cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his first call-up to the Indian national team following an impressive performance in the IPL 2026 season. Although he was included in the squads for tours to Ireland and England, he did not play in the matches against Ireland. His debut came during the England series, where he replaced Sanju Samson, who had been struggling with his form. Unfortunately, Sooryavanshi's first experience in international cricket was challenging, as he managed to score only 14, 13, and 15 runs in his three T20I appearances, leading to his exclusion from the final match of the series.

A Stellar Comeback Against Zimbabwe

However, the young batter quickly turned his fortunes around in the subsequent series against Zimbabwe. He kicked off the three-match T20I series with a solid half-century, followed by a score of 20 in the second match. In a stunning display of talent, he scored 81 runs off just 49 balls in the final game, helping India secure a 3-0 series victory. Sooryavanshi concluded the series with a total of 151 runs, averaging 50.33, which earned him the Player of the Series accolade. This performance has reignited discussions about his potential in the international arena, but Rahane's advice remains clear: let the young talent develop at his own pace.

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