'There Will Be Some Challenges': AB de Villiers' Blunt Take On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Test Future

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the biggest talking points in world cricket after a sensational IPL season. The 15-year-old scored nearly 800 runs and created history by becoming the youngest player ever to win the Orange Cap.

His performances were so impressive that the Indian selectors had little choice but to include him in the national team. The call-up made him the youngest male cricketer ever to be selected for India.

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The IPL is not the only place where Sooryavanshi has made headlines. He has been piling up runs and breaking records in age-group cricket, domestic tournaments and junior international matches. Most recently, he played a key role in helping India lift the U19 World Cup.

While his talent in white-ball cricket is already clear for everyone to see, many are now wondering whether he will also aim to make a mark in Test cricket.

Speaking about the youngster, South African great AB de Villiers described Sooryavanshi as a special talent but admitted he is unsure whether the teenager will choose to focus on the longest format.

“He’s a wonderful talent. I have no doubts about his ability to play red-ball cricket if he wants to. The real question is whether he actually wants to. Only time will tell,” de Villiers said on Sunday.

“He certainly has the skills to succeed in Test cricket, although it won’t always be easy. There will be challenges, but he has the talent to overcome them. Personally, I hope he gives Test cricket a serious go, but I’m not sure if he will. We’ll have to wait and see.”

De Villiers was, however, fully supportive of India’s decision to hand Sooryavanshi his first international call-up.

“It’s absolutely the right decision from the selectors,” he said. “It would have been easy to say he’s still too young and go with someone more experienced. But he has forced his way into the team with his performances. He deserves his place in India’s T20 side, and I’m really happy for him.”