'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can't transition to Test cricket': Ex-cricketer says 'he doesn't have the technique'
toi
newspoint|20-09-2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may still be only 15, but the sheer impact of his performances has already led to questions about whether he can eventually conquer all three formats. The Samastipur-born left-hander has made a stunning start to his career, with his exploits in the IPL and at the international level putting him firmly under the spotlight.
His immediate future, however, remains in T20 cricket. Sooryavanshi did not feature in any of the matches, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma preferred at the top of the order. Given the team's desire to maintain continuity, the decision was understandable despite the teenager's impressive IPL campaign.
The discussion has now moved beyond the teenager's place in India's T20I XI, with his potential in Test cricket becoming another talking point. Sooryavanshi has limited red-ball experience and is nowhere close to a Test call-up at present, but former England spinner Monty Panesar has already offered his assessment of whether the youngster can make the transition to the longest format.
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast alongside former Australia captain Michael Clarke , Panesar questioned whether Sooryavanshi possesses the technique required to succeed in Test cricket.
“I can’t see Sooryavanshi transitioning to Test cricket. Harry Brook is the only one right now who’s in the top 10 in Tests and T20Is. But I just don’t think Sooryavanshi has got the technique," Panesar said.
Clarke, however, offered a contrasting view. The former Australia captain argued that players can succeed across all three formats if they have the necessary skill and talent, pointing to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers as examples.
“I think you can still play all three formats. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers showed that. These guys were brilliant Test cricketers and unbelievable T20 cricketers as well. If a player from this generation, like Sooryavanshi, can make the transition into Test cricket, it is going to be unreal to watch," said Clarke.
Clarke also highlighted Sooryavanshi's power and exceptional ability to read the ball as his biggest strengths at this stage of his career. He believes the technical aspects of the youngster's batting can develop with greater exposure to different conditions.
“Right now, power is still his main thing, and he has an amazing eye. He picks the ball as well as any young cricketer in the world. The technique will get better the more he tours with India and trains in different conditions," said Sooryavanshi.
Clarke went a step further in backing the teenager's long-term potential, suggesting he has the talent to become a star across formats if he chooses to pursue that route.
"He’s talented enough that, if he wants to do it, I can’t see any reason why he can’t be a superstar in all three formats," he added.
Sooryavanshi has already had some exposure to red-ball cricket. He was part of the East Zone side that won the Duleep Trophy and came close to scoring a century in the semi-final against Central Zone before being dismissed in the 90s.
His immediate future, however, remains in T20 cricket. Sooryavanshi did not feature in any of the matches, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma preferred at the top of the order. Given the team's desire to maintain continuity, the decision was understandable despite the teenager's impressive IPL campaign.
The discussion has now moved beyond the teenager's place in India's T20I XI, with his potential in Test cricket becoming another talking point. Sooryavanshi has limited red-ball experience and is nowhere close to a Test call-up at present, but former England spinner Monty Panesar has already offered his assessment of whether the youngster can make the transition to the longest format.
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast alongside former Australia captain Michael Clarke , Panesar questioned whether Sooryavanshi possesses the technique required to succeed in Test cricket.
“I can’t see Sooryavanshi transitioning to Test cricket. Harry Brook is the only one right now who’s in the top 10 in Tests and T20Is. But I just don’t think Sooryavanshi has got the technique," Panesar said.
Clarke, however, offered a contrasting view. The former Australia captain argued that players can succeed across all three formats if they have the necessary skill and talent, pointing to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers as examples.
“I think you can still play all three formats. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers showed that. These guys were brilliant Test cricketers and unbelievable T20 cricketers as well. If a player from this generation, like Sooryavanshi, can make the transition into Test cricket, it is going to be unreal to watch," said Clarke.
Clarke also highlighted Sooryavanshi's power and exceptional ability to read the ball as his biggest strengths at this stage of his career. He believes the technical aspects of the youngster's batting can develop with greater exposure to different conditions.
“Right now, power is still his main thing, and he has an amazing eye. He picks the ball as well as any young cricketer in the world. The technique will get better the more he tours with India and trains in different conditions," said Sooryavanshi.
Clarke went a step further in backing the teenager's long-term potential, suggesting he has the talent to become a star across formats if he chooses to pursue that route.
"He’s talented enough that, if he wants to do it, I can’t see any reason why he can’t be a superstar in all three formats," he added.
Sooryavanshi has already had some exposure to red-ball cricket. He was part of the East Zone side that won the Duleep Trophy and came close to scoring a century in the semi-final against Central Zone before being dismissed in the 90s.
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