Patience and Development for Young Talent

Former India cricketer Saba Karim has weighed in on the growing debate around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential to replace Sanju Samson in India's T20I team. Speaking to Star Sports and JioStar, Karim stressed that while Sooryavanshi's talent is undeniable, the 15-year-old should be given time to mature rather than being rushed into the senior setup.

Samson's Recent Form is Key

Karim highlighted Sanju Samson's stellar performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup and IPL 2026 as reasons to maintain faith in the experienced player. 'Sanju Samson is a fabulous player who has been a match-winner for us. Before that, he was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Why is everyone pointing the gun at him?' Karim questioned during his Star Sports appearance.

Learning Curve for Sooryavanshi

While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's 776 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 237.30, Karim emphasized the value of the teenager's current experience with the Indian squad. 'This environment will help him grow as a player and as a human being. Although he has incredible talent, you need to bide your time in such a competitive setup,' he added.

Future Prospects

Despite the wait, Karim expressed confidence in Sooryavanshi's eventual rise. 'Not only Indian fans but the entire world is waiting to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the same manner that he did in the IPL. I have high hopes for this young lad. Very soon, we will see him in all three formats. I am dead sure about it,' Karim said on JioStar.