Test cricket could suit 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, says former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara – provided chances come his way. Thinking about the long form early might help young players grow deeper roots. Sooryavanshi swings hard, breaks records, stands out even among seasoned names. For RR in IPL 2026, no one scores more than him right now. Forty-four times four fills his tally across ten knocks at the crease.
Now that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi keeps lighting up matches with his aggressive hitting, voices have begun rising – loud and clear – for a spot in India’s T20I lineup. While some remain cautious, others see no reason to wait when impact is already visible week after week.
Still, Cheteshwar Pujara noted Sooryavanshi’s strong T20 form might open doors to national selection down the line. Yet should chance meet talent, aiming higher makes sense. After all, Tests shape character more than any other stage. Skill deepens there. Respect grows. Young players often find what matters most when facing long sessions under hot sun. That grind teaches things stats never show.
“Vaibhav is such a player who is doing very well in T20 cricket, and he will definitely get a chance in the Indian team. Whether he plays Test cricket or not, only time’ll tell. If he has the potential, opportunity, time, and he can play his game, then he should definitely play Test cricket, because your temperament, your ability, and the respect that you talk about come from Test cricket. So definitely, Test cricket should be there in each and every young player’s mind,” Pujara, an expert on JioHotstar’s ‘Champions Waali Commentary,’ said during an interaction with the media.
Pujara pointed out how Test cricket holds top value, yet those focused on limited-overs games can still do well elsewhere. Still, someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fits better when placed where his skills shine brightest. Shreyas Iyer, for instance, thrives under conditions matched to his rhythm. Using people based on what they offer makes sense across formats. Not every player suits each version equally.
“I do agree that Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game, but that doesn’t mean that the white-ball specialist players don’t have that ability. If there is a white-ball specialist, like Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) and Shreyas Iyer, then they should be playing that format. There should be different players for different formats,” he said.
Talking about being part of JioStar’s Hindi CTV coverage, Pujara shared what the job feels like. Unlike sitting in a studio, this role weaves stories into deep breakdowns of play. From knowing life on the field, he finds ways to unpack moments as they happen. Seeing how batters move, why bowlers choose certain lines – these come easier because he has lived them. Young players watching might pick up patterns just by hearing how decisions unfold under pressure. For fans too, clarity grows when someone explains not just what happened, but why it mattered.
” This is commentary, but at the same time, there are a lot of stories that come out in this. Because as players you have a lot of experience, you have played cricket, what you have seen in a particular situation, how do you deal with that. Also, there is a lot of analysis of what happens on the field, what we feel that players can do, or sometimes we feel that someone is batting really well, what their positives are, and how they are able to play some shots technically. It is important that even for the viewers, many people want to know what happens on the field, how someone is able to execute a particular shot, if someone is bowling really well, what are the angles they are trying to use. So, it gives a different perspective to the viewers and even to some of the young players who want to learn the game,” Pujara said.
