Why Vaibhav Suryavanshi Can’t Play for Team India Yet

ICC age rule keeps U19 World Cup hero out of senior squad despite record-breaking run

February 7, 2026: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive 175 off just 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The 14-year-old batting sensation from Bihar tore apart England’s bowling with 15 sixes, rewriting record books and sparking widespread calls for his immediate inclusion in the senior Indian team. However, despite his dominance in age-group cricket and stunning IPL performances for Rajasthan Royals, an ICC regulation stands firmly in his way.

The primary obstacle is the ICC’s Minimum Age Policy, introduced in 2020 to protect young players’ physical and mental well-being. As per the rule, a cricketer must be at least 15 years old to represent a country at the international level. Born on March 27, 2011, Suryavanshi was still 14 at the time of India’s U19 World Cup triumph in February 2026. As a result, Indian selectors cannot consider him for the senior side until he turns 15 later this month, regardless of his exceptional performances.

Adding to the irony, Suryavanshi’s journey in U19 World Cups is already over due to the BCCI’s “one-tournament” policy, which prevents players from featuring in multiple editions. As the Player of the Tournament in 2026, his youth career is packed with historic feats, including becoming the youngest List-A and IPL centurion, smashing the fastest 150 in cricket history, and setting new records for six-hitting. For now, the “Suryavanshi Storm” is confined to domestic and franchise cricket, but once the age barrier lifts, a senior India debut appears inevitable.