![\"Fast-track](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-129919816,imgsize-40736,width-400,resizemode-4\/vaibhav-sooryavanshi.jpg\" "\\"Vaibhav")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: A growing chorus of former cricketers is calling for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be fast-tracked into India\u2019s T20 setup after his latest IPL<\/a> heroics, even as voices of caution warn against rushing his rise.The 15-year-old lit up the Indian Premier League with a stunning 52 off 17 balls for Rajasthan Royals<\/a> against Chennai Super Kings<\/a>, bringing up a 15-ball fifty \u2014 the third-fastest in IPL history. His fearless assault came after RR restricted CSK to 127, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket win. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n CSK host fan engagement event at Chepauk ahead of IPL 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Calls to fast-track a prodigy<\/span>Former India batter Mohammad Kaif admitted he had initially been wary of the hype around Sooryavanshi but now believes the youngster is ready for the next level. \u201cLast season I thought Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was getting hyped way too early. An old-school cricketer, I believe there should be no haste in fast-tracking young players. But a year later, I think he is ready to graduate to the next level,\u201d Kaif wrote, adding that the teenager has the ability to \u201centertain and play match-winning knocks.\u201dEchoing that sentiment, former spinner Piyush Chawla was quoted as saying in ESPNCricinfo, \u201cIf he plays like that, I would love to see him fast-tracked.\u201d Chawla highlighted Sooryavanshi\u2019s consistency across formats, noting his ability to score not just hundreds, but \u201cbig hundreds.\u201dAmbati Rayudu also backed the youngster\u2019s immense potential, calling him \u201ca cut above a lot of youngsters.\u201d However, he pointed out the challenge of breaking into a world champion Indian T20 side, saying, \u201cDon’t forget, our Indian team is a world champion team. It’s won the T20 World Cup. So to replace somebody in that side is not easy. To me, there are a few players ahead of him at the moment, because you tend to pick and build your teams ahead of the next ICC competition.\u201dAshwin\u2019s word of caution<\/span>While praise has poured in, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urged restraint, stressing the need to manage expectations around a 15-year-old.\u201cDon\u2019t give him such a target. He is not even a guy, he is a kid,\u201d Ashwin said on his YoouTube channel, emphasising that Sooryavanshi has time on his side. \u201cIf Sooryavanshi plays till 40, he has two and a half decades left in cricket. Leave him alone, he will come on his own when the time is right.\u201dAshwin, however, was effusive in his praise of the youngster\u2019s ability. \u201cHe is too good to not play for India. He will play anyway eventually. When will he play? For that, we might have to wait a bit. Why are we always in a hurry.\u201dHaving already impressed with a record-breaking Under-19 World Cup campaign, Sooryavanshi\u2019s rapid rise has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike. But as the debate intensifies, the challenge will be to balance excitement with patience.<\/div>\n