Calls for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his India debut have continued to grow following his remarkable rise over the past few months, but former BCCI selector Saba Karim believes the team management is right to exercise patience with the teenage sensation.Sooryavanshi earned a place in India’s senior T20I squad after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign in which he piled up a record 776 runs. If selected, he would become India’s youngest-ever international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. However, despite growing demands from fans and former cricketers to fast-track his debut, Karim feels there is no reason to alter a settled batting line-up.Speaking on Star Sports’ show Follow the Blues, Karim defended Sanju Samson’s place in the side, pointing to the wicketkeeper-batter’s recent performances for India.“I don’t think so at this stage. Sanju Samson is a fabulous player. He has been a match-winner. He had a very good IPL season. Before that, he was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. What are we looking at? Sanju Samson would be thinking, ‘Why is everyone pointing the gun at me?'” Saba said.Karim also stressed that simply being part of the senior national setup at the age of 15 is a significant milestone for Sooryavanshi and an opportunity to develop both on and off the field.“Even for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, this is a good learning curve. He also gets to understand that to get into this Indian team XI, you have to earn your call-up. This environment will help him grow as a player and as a human being. Although he has got such an incredible amount of talent, when you get into such a competitive environment, you need to bide your time,” he added.Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was also part of the discussion, shared a similar view, describing Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the national squad as a major achievement in itself.“This is a massive opportunity for him. He might not have got a chance in the playing XI, but he is part of the Indian team. It’s a big thing if you are in the 15-member squad, and it’s a dream-come-true moment for him. When he gets a chance in the playing XI, it will be an even bigger moment than that,” Pujara said.“He will have to wait for his opportunity. It’s a big positive for Vaibhav Suryavanshi that he is part of the squad. He gets to train with the players and be in an environment where senior cricketers and coaches are around him to learn from. He is an exceptional talent, but he will have to wait a little for that opportunity.”India are currently touring England for a five-match T20I series. The opening match in Durham was abandoned after rain interrupted play following the first innings, with the second T20I scheduled to take place on Saturday.
