'It looks like he has been playing international cricket for the last 10-15 years' - AB de Villiers lauds Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of AFG T20Is

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of Indian cricket's most talked-about young talents following his explosive performances in the Zimbabwe T20I series in July 2026. The left-handed top-order batter, born on March 27, 2011, made his international debut in the England T20I series earlier that month before moving to Zimbabwe, where he announced himself on the world stage.

South African batting legend AB de Villiers has expressed his admiration for the teenage sensation ahead of India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi from September 13 to 17. De Villiers highlighted Sooryavanshi's maturity and consistency at such a young age, drawing comparisons to players with far more experience in international cricket.

"Vaibhav Suryavanshi is obviously the big talking point. He's still a teenager, guys, and scoring runs left, right, and center. It looks like he's played international cricket for the last 10-15 years. Sky is the limit for him, and I absolutely cannot wait to watch him perform once again," Villiers said in a video on his YouTube channel.

De Villiers hails Sooryavanshi's maturity and consistency

Sooryavanshi's performances in Zimbabwe demonstrated his readiness for international cricket at the highest level. He amassed 151 runs across the three-match series at an average of 50.33 with a strike rate of 196.10, earning him the Player of the Series award. In the opening match, he struck a 50 off just 19 balls, becoming the youngest player to score a half-century in men's T20 internationals. He followed this with a career-best 81 off 49 deliveries in the third T20I as India secured a 3-0 series victory.

Zimbabwe performances showcase readiness for international cricket

The teenager's rapid rise has caught the attention of cricket's biggest names. His ability to score consistently at a high strike rate has impressed observers, and his selection in India's 15-member squad for the Afghanistan series reflects the confidence placed in him by the national selectors. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side with Tilak Varma as deputy for the series beginning September 13, followed by matches on September 15 and 17.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Duleep Trophy 2026: Stats and Performance

De Villiers' comments underscore the excitement surrounding Sooryavanshi's potential as he prepares to play his first T20I series on home soil. The teenager will look to build on his Zimbabwe success and continue his impressive start to international cricket against Afghanistan.