Vaibhav Suryavanshi is India’s future, says Sanath Jayasuriya; “Don’t rush him.”

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya has backed India's teenage batting prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as a different kind of talent and a potential future star for Indian cricket. At the same time, Jayasuriya has advised against rushing the youngster into India's playing XI.

Speaking on Sunday, Jayasuriya said Sooryavanshi has plenty of time to develop and should be given opportunities when the right moment arrives. He also backed the teenager to make the most of his chances once they come.

Sanath Jayasuriya Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is India’s Future

Jayasuriya praised Sooryavanshi's talent while stressing the importance of patience in his development.

“He's a different kind of talent. I think he's the future for India. He has a lot of time,” Jayasuriya said, according to India Today.

The former Sri Lankan opener added that Sooryavanshi should be given the opportunity to perform when it arrives, saying he expects the youngster to make the most of his chances.

Jayasuriya also made it clear that he could not comment on the exact batting position Sooryavanshi should occupy, saying that would depend on the situation and team combination.

Sooryavanshi Did Not Play Against Afghanistan

Sooryavanshi was included in India's squad for the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan but did not feature in any of the matches.

India retained the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson during the series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also indicated that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his opportunity, with the existing players having established themselves in the team.

Jayasuriya's comments therefore come amid ongoing discussion about when the 15-year-old should receive an extended opportunity at the international level.

Jayasuriya Highlights Competition in Indian Cricket

The former Sri Lankan captain also pointed to the intense competition for places in the Indian team.

According to Jayasuriya, players such as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson need to continue performing because India has a large pool of players competing for places across formats.

He noted that Indian cricketers work hard in training and that there are always players waiting for an opportunity to step in and perform.

The comments underline the depth of India's current cricket setup, where young players can face significant competition before securing regular places in the playing XI.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Recent T20 Numbers

Sooryavanshi has already produced notable performances despite his young age.

In his three-match T20I debut series against England, he scored 42 runs. He subsequently featured against Zimbabwe and emerged as the leading run-scorer in the three-match series with 151 runs, earning the Player of the Series award.

His performances have added to the attention surrounding his development and future role with India.

Sooryavanshi Included in India’s Asian Games Squad

The teenager has also been included in India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games. India is scheduled to face Japan in a T20 international before its Asian Games campaign begins.

His selection gives the young batter another potential opportunity to gain experience in the national setup.

Jayasuriya Discusses Corporate Cricket

Jayasuriya also spoke about the role of the corporate sector in Indian cricket and suggested that a Corporate Cricket World Cup could provide another platform for players.

He pointed out that corporate cricket across different Indian cities allows players who may not have received opportunities in the IPL to showcase their abilities.

According to Jayasuriya, such competitions can provide additional avenues for talented cricketers to gain exposure.

Jayasuriya’s Message: Give Sooryavanshi Time

Jayasuriya's comments combine strong praise for Sooryavanshi's ability with a call for patience.

While he sees the youngster as a potential part of India's future, he believes the teenager should be allowed to develop and wait for the right opportunity rather than being rushed into the playing XI.

With Sooryavanshi already gaining international experience and another opportunity potentially ahead, attention will remain on how India manages the progression of one of its most closely followed young batting prospects.