Shikhar Dhawan Backs Teenage Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Following Historic IPL Campaign

Former India opening batter Shikhar Dhawan has publicly supported teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stating that elite-level performance must supersede age considerations in national team selection.

Dhawan commended the young batter’s aggressive approach against premium fast bowlers, noting the rarity of such composure early in a professional career.

Age Defied by Elite IPL Statistics

“If Vaibhav is doing brilliantly at the senior level, then that has to be counted and not his age,” Dhawan stated in an interview with the Press Trust of India. “Yes, he is a kid, but it is astonishing the way he hits Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for such huge sixes.”

Sooryavanshi validated Dhawan’s assessment during the IPL 2026 season. The top-order batter recorded unprecedented numbers for a teenager in franchise cricket, leading the tournament in several power-hitting categories.

For comprehensive tournament records, visit the official IPL website.

The Challenge of National Team Selection

Despite the domestic success, Dhawan noted that breaking into the established Indian batting order requires patience. Following India’s recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory, incumbent players like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have solidified their top-order positions.

“If the top order is doing well, you cannot readily replace them,” Dhawan explained. “When Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and I were playing, we held our positions for nearly a decade. Replacing us was not easy. It depends on how the individual handles it. One should not be disheartened if the chance does not come immediately.”

Track current national squad selections through the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Evolution of T20 Batting Technique

Dhawan also addressed the broader evolution of Twenty20 batting fundamentals. He observed a definitive shift toward aggressive intent, yet maintained that core defensive mechanics remain necessary for long-term success.

• Historical Contrast: Earlier coaching methodologies prioritized hitting along the ground, whereas modern T20 instruction encourages aerial dominance.
• Core Defense: Elite aggressive batters still require strong defensive foundations to survive high-quality pace bowling.
• Format Adaptation: Transitioning between T20, One Day Internationals, and Test cricket demands acute mental flexibility.

“When we started, our coaches told us to hit along the ground. Now it is the opposite,” Dhawan said. “However, Vaibhav has a strong defense. I have watched him defend close to his body.”

Mindset Over Mechanics

For a generation of cricketers raised primarily on the T20 format, adapting to longer versions of the sport presents specific developmental hurdles. According to Dhawan, the primary challenge lies in game awareness rather than pure technique.

“Technique needs to be good, but switching formats requires a shift in mindset—knowing when to increase or decrease your scoring pace,” Dhawan concluded. “Today’s generation builds their game based on T20 cricket, so adapting will pose challenges for them.”

Further analysis of international batting techniques and player statistics can be found at ESPNcricinfo and the International Cricket Council.