Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his first international selection after being included in the India T20 squad for tours of England and Ireland.

Should he feature, the 15-year-old would surpass Sachin Tendulkar's mark as India's youngest player. Tendulkar debuted at 16 years and 205 days in a one-day international against Pakistan back in 1989.

The selection follows Sooryavanshi's outstanding Indian Premier League season, in which he amassed 776 runs across 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30 while representing the Rajasthan Royals.

The left-handed batter claimed the IPL's Most Valuable Player honor along with the emerging player award and the Orange Cap for leading run-scorer. He also struck 72 sixes to eclipse the previous record of 59 set by West Indies legend Chris Gayle in 2012.

Earlier this year he scored 175 as India defeated England in the Under-19 World Cup final.

"We have witnessed his impact, nearly single-handedly guiding Rajasthan Royals into the play-offs," noted selection panel chairman Ajit Agarkar.

"He enjoyed a strong beginning and maintained consistency in a highly competitive and intense environment. He is a game-changer. We hold high expectations for him. He has earned his place."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed being "in awe" of Sooryavanshi's batting approach.

"This youngster delivers when it counts most," he remarked to BBC Test Match Special.

"We are observing something truly exceptional. At present, I believe he ranks as the world's top T20 player.

"His strike rates exceed anything previously witnessed. He is clearing the boundary off Jasprit Bumrah's opening delivery, Pat Cummins' first ball, and Josh Hazlewood's initial offering - so these are not lesser bowlers.

"He is targeting the finest bowlers of this era. Discussions are already underway regarding strategies to bowl against a 15-year-old."

India will contest two matches in Ireland this month before playing five T20s in England during July.

In other news, Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain in place of Suryakumar Yadav, who has been omitted from the squad.

Suryakumar guided India to T20 World Cup success in March, yet the 35-year-old encountered batting difficulties both at the event and in the recent IPL.

"This decision is challenging, especially after the World Cup triumph, but following most such tournaments a reassessment of the optimal path occurs," Agarkar explained regarding Yadav's exclusion.

"We considered this the strongest direction."

Shreyas has not appeared in a T20 international since 2023, though he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and took Punjab Kings to runners-up position in 2025.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been rested, while uncapped fast bowler Prince Yadav receives a call-up.

Full squad

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi