Sangakkara backs Sooryavanshi to get India call-up 'very very soon'

Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals head coach, believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India call-up is imminent after a standout season featuring three 90+ scores in four innings.

Despite another heroic knock, the Royals lost to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, with the 15-year-old exiting with the Orange Cap. Sangakkara said RR was "very, very proud" and wants to ensure "he keeps that intent, that no-fear attitude and keeps growing".

Sooryavanshi's 96 came on a sluggish pitch against short-pitched bowling. Sangakkara called it a tougher innings and praised the youngster's ability to read situations.

On an India call-up, Sangakkara said: "With everything Vaibhav has shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he's more than ready to take on any challenge… I'm sure he'll get that call-up very, very soon."

On managing the youngster, Sangakkara said: "We don't clutter his mind too much… a clear mind, batting with that courage is exactly what we want."

Captain Riyan Parag said the team "was not supposed to qualify" but reached the top four despite a transition period. Sangakkara praised the team's resilience through ups and downs, adding: "Sometimes you play well and still get beaten. Tonight GT were better than us."

Sangakkara clarified RR is no longer a "developmental side," having shifted focus in 2022 to building squads that can win now. He called Sooryavanshi an "outlier" bought because he was good enough for the first XI, and praised Riyan Parag's first season as captain.