Mumbai: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned the way young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was introduced to international cricket, saying the team management could have handled his transition much better. According to Kaif, the 15-year-old should have been given his debut during India's tour of Ireland rather than being thrown into the more challenging conditions of England. He believes that a gradual introduction would have helped the youngster gain confidence before facing stronger opposition.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Sooryavanshi had already proved his talent during the IPL 2026, where he emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest stars by winning the Orange Cap. His consistent performances made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the country. After such an impressive season, many expected him to feature in India's playing XI during the Ireland series. However, the team management preferred experienced players Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the opening matches, leaving Sooryavanshi on the bench.

Kaif believes that keeping the teenager out despite his outstanding form affected his confidence. He argued that players who are in exceptional form should be backed immediately instead of being made to wait for opportunities. According to him, allowing Sooryavanshi to make his debut against Ireland would have reduced the pressure before he entered the much tougher England series. He said the youngster would have become familiar with international cricket in relatively easier conditions and carried greater confidence into the next assignment.

Sooryavanshi eventually made his T20I debut during the England series after Samson was dropped following a string of poor performances. However, the young left-hander struggled in his first three innings and was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final match. Kaif felt that judging such a young player after only a few innings was unfair, especially considering the challenging English conditions and the quality of opposition.

The former India batter also pointed out that Sooryavanshi was not an ordinary prospect but a rare talent who had earned his place through consistent performances. He said winning the Orange Cap in the IPL was proof that the youngster had delivered throughout the tournament rather than in just one or two matches. Kaif remarked that special talents often require special handling and suggested that the management should have shown greater faith in the teenager from the very beginning.

Referring to Sooryavanshi’s performances after the England series, Kaif highlighted his outstanding display against Zimbabwe. The youngster scored 151 runs in the three-match T20I series, including a highest score of 81, and was named the Player of the Series. Kaif said this performance demonstrated that the player’s ability had never been in doubt. Instead, he believed the initial handling of the youngster's international career made the journey more difficult than necessary.

Kaif also noted that Sooryavanshi had to face one of the world's top fast bowlers, Jofra Archer, early in his international career, making his task even more challenging. He stressed that young cricketers need patience and consistent backing during their initial phase rather than being judged after a handful of innings. According to him, talented youngsters flourish when they are given confidence and continuity instead of facing immediate pressure to deliver.

Sooryavanshi continues to be regarded as one of Indian cricket’s brightest prospects. His fearless batting, maturity at a young age, and performances in domestic and franchise cricket have already earned him significant attention. Kaif believes the teenager has the potential to become a major player for India in the coming years, provided he receives sustained support from the team management and enough opportunities to settle into international cricket.