A day after ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar said that he wants to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his Test debut at some point, the 15-year-old told ‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar about his intentions about red-ball cricket. Sooryavanshi, who won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 orange cap, had a conversation Gavaskar after the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their second consecutive title. While the teen sensation’s next assignment is One-Day series in Sri Lanka for India A, he revealed that he has already started practicing for the red-ball format.
"Yes, I will have to play on the ground because the next assignment is in a one-day format," he said in conversation with broadcasters. "I have practised a lot with a red ball, but no one has seen me do that, but they will soon."
‘I want to play Test cricket’
Sooryavanshi tried to bust the notion that he loves to hit every ball. The 15-year-old said that he plays according the format. He says that his father told him that Test cricket is the 'ultimate format' and wants to keep working hard to get the opportunity in the longest format.
"People think I love to hit every ball, but this is the T20 format, and coaches give me a free hand to go all guns blazing. And I hit the ball only because I know I can hit them, and it isn't out of compulsion.
"I want to play Test cricket, obviously, because my father also taught me that it is the ultimate format, and I have played it as well. I'm yet to play many games, though. I played Ranji Trophy cricket but did not get too many opportunities, and it was challenging for me. But I am going to keep working on that aspect of my game," the Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener said.
What Tendulkar said about Sooryavanshi’s Test debut
On the eve of the final, Tendulkar had praised Sooryavanshi and said that he wants the youngster to play Test cricket. He said this in the presence of chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
"Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. I don't know when that is going to happen. But an exciting talent needs encouragement. And if he's doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all and not put pressure on him constantly, you know, he should play this, or he shouldn't be doing this, or he should be picked in whatever squad. Leave that to the guys [selectors] who are responsible for that," Tendulkar told ESPNCricinfo at an event.
When will Sooryavanshi play next?
The tri-series will begin on June 9 against hosts Sri Lanka A. Tilak Varma-led India A play two games each against Sri Lanka A and India A before the final on June 21.