India cricket’s next superstar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could light up NZ summer
New Zealand cricket fans may be gifted a glimpse of the game’s next great this summer.
Still just 15 years old, India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captivated the cricket world with his record breaking batting exploits.
Producing numbers so staggering, some have already dubbed Sooryavanshi - who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League - the ‘Don Bradman of T20s’.
It is considered a matter of when and not if Sooryavanshi makes his debut for India, and the New Zealand tour later this year may be the perfect arena for India to blood their newest superstar.
India will take on the Black Caps in five T20 internationals, five ODIs and two Tests in October and November.
Black Caps bowler Ish Sodhi joked that he was not overly thrilled at the prospect of playing against the wunderkind.
“I don’t want to bowl to that guy,” Sodhi laughed.
“I might have to learn some off-spin, to spin the ball away from him. It’s that kind of breed of cricketer that’s just becoming a lot more common these days with the amount of T20 cricket that they’re playing over in India.”
Sodhi said that Sooryavanshi brought another level of entertainment.
“I firmly believe that the T20 side that they send over here, there might be some young guys that come through, but the skill level’s immense and it’s going to be very challenging, but great to watch.”
Though the Bradman comparisons may seem premature, it is only natural that Sooryavanshi has been spoken alongside another Indian prodigy to have captured the world’s’ attention at a tender age.
Sodhi felt Sooryavanshi had the potential to usurp even the stardom of Sachin Tendulkar.
“It’s hard to say that he won’t reach that level of fandom. He’s only 15, isn’t he? The skill level is just crazy. He’s striking at over 200 and you don’t, you know, I’ve never really seen anyone hit the ball as cleanly as he has, so I’m sure there’ll be three or four of them around as well.”
With an army of Indian fans set to follow their side across the country, Sodhi said they bring an atmosphere like no other supporters.
“It doesn’t compare, it’s literally the best atmosphere you can play cricket in. Even at some of the small grounds, the boutique grounds, they’re really packed in, the crowds on top of you, it’s something that’s really special and to be a part of so we’re very excited to have these full crowds for that tour, hopefully the cricket’s up to, up to par.”
After New Zealand’s historic test series whitewash in 2024, Sodhi is expecting a vengeful Indian side.
“We feel like the rivalry is getting bigger and bigger and having beaten them over there three-nil, I’m sure they’ll be wanting to come here and do something really special too.”
Black Caps vs India
Thu 22 Oct 1st T20I Hagley Oval, Christchurch 8pm
Sat 24 Oct 2nd T20I Hagley Oval, Christchurch 8pm
Tue 27 Oct 3rd T20I Hnry Stadium, Wellington 8pm
Fri 30 Oct 4th T20I Eden Park, Auckland 8pm
Sun 1 Nov 5th T20I Seddon Park, Hamilton 8pm
Wed 4 Nov 1st ODI Eden Park, Auckland 3pm
Sat 7 Nov 2nd ODI Hnry Stadium, Wellington 3pm
Tue 10 Nov 3rd ODI Seddon Park, Hamilton 3pm
Fri 13 Nov 4th ODI Bay Oval, Tauranga 3pm
Sun 15 Nov 5th ODI Bay Oval, Tauranga 3pm
Thu 19 Nov - Mon 23 Nov 1st Test Basin Reserve, Wellington 11am
Fri 27 Nov - Tue 1 Dec 2nd Test Hagley Oval, Christchurch 11am