Belfast: Teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is on the brink of creating history as he could make his international debut for India in the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast on June 26.
At just 15 years and 90 days old, Suryavanshi has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket. If included in the playing XI, he will become the youngest Indian ever to play international cricket, surpassing records held by some of the game’s biggest names.
India begin their two-match T20I series against Ireland on Friday, with the first match scheduled to start at 6 p.m. local time. While fitting the youngster into the lineup may require changes to the established batting order, team management could use the series as an opportunity to test emerging talent ahead of a demanding tour of England, where India are set to play a five-match T20I series.
Suryavanshi has strengthened his case for selection with a string of impressive performances, including a standout campaign in the India A Tri-Series in Sri Lanka following IPL 2026. His fearless batting and maturity beyond his years have earned widespread praise from selectors and cricket experts.
A debut in Belfast would see Suryavanshi break a long-standing Indian men’s record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut in 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. He would also surpass the overall Indian record held by women’s star Shafali Verma, who debuted in 2019 at 15 years and 239 days.
Even if he does not feature against Ireland, Suryavanshi still has several months to become India’s youngest international debutant before crossing the age mark set by Shafali and Tendulkar.
On the global stage, the record for the youngest international cricketer belongs to Sajjida Shah of Pakistan, who made her debut at 12 years and 169 days in 2000. Among male cricketers, Pakistan’s Hasan Raza holds the record, having debuted at 14 years and 229 days.
Should Suryavanshi take the field in Belfast, the young Indian prodigy will not only mark the beginning of his international career but also write his name into cricket history.
