‘My duty is to make him feel comfortable’ - Abhishek Sharma on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have formed India's opening partnership in T20I cricket, with the experienced Sharma taking on a mentoring role for the teenage debutant. Sooryavanshi, who is 15 years old, has already made a significant impact at the international level following his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League.

Sharma has spoken about his interaction with the young opener and the team's deliberate efforts to ensure Sooryavanshi feels welcome and integrated within the squad. The collective approach reflects recognition of both the teenager's achievements and the unique position he occupies as one of the youngest players in the international setup.

"He is a very smart guy. He is not like how we used to behave at 15 or anyone does because he has already been in that cricket setup for 2-3 years. So he knows what, where, and how much to practice. I feel gradually these are things he will learn more with experience," Sharma said on JioStar.

"And what we discuss in the team with each other, all teammates, is how we can make him more comfortable. Because we all know what he has achieved and that he belongs here. So I also feel like it's my duty as well, to make him feel that all of us, his elder brothers, are here for him. You just have to enjoy and just give your best and win the games whenever you get the chance," he added.

Experience and youth in India's opening partnership

Sooryavanshi's rise to international cricket has been meteoric. He made his T20I debut on July 4, 2026, against England, arriving at the international stage after a remarkable domestic season. In June 2026, he scored the fastest half-century in List A cricket in 11 balls, finishing on 94 runs off 29 balls in the Sri Lanka tri-series final. His IPL 2026 campaign was equally impressive, where he amassed 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals and won the Orange Cap as the tournament's leading run-scorer.

Sharma, an established opener with a T20I average of 34.49 at a strike rate of 192.38, brings considerable experience to the opening partnership. He has scored two centuries and 10 fifties in T20I cricket, providing a steady presence alongside the explosive young talent of Sooryavanshi. The two opened together in India's gold medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, combining youth and experience at the top of the order.

The partnership between Sharma and Sooryavanshi represents a blend of established international experience and emerging talent. Sharma's willingness to support his younger partner and the team's collective commitment to making Sooryavanshi comfortable demonstrates the professional environment being created for the teenager's development at the international level.