India vs NZ: Ish Sodhi isn't looking forward to playing against Sooryavanshi

New Zealand 3 min read

BlackCaps leg spinner Ish Sodhi and Indian teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

India cricket’s next superstar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could light up NZ summer.

Jonty Dine of RNZ June 4, 2026

New Zealand cricket fans may be gifted a glimpse of the game's next great this summer.

Still just 15 years old, India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captivated the cricket world with his record breaking batting exploits.

Producing numbers so staggering, some have already dubbed Sooryavanshi - who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League - the 'Don Bradman of T20s'.

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It is considered a matter of when and not if Sooryavanshi makes his debut for India, and the New Zealand tour later this year may be the perfect arena for India to blood their newest superstar.

India will take on the Black Caps in five T20 internationals, five ODIs and two Tests in October and November.

Black Caps bowler Ish Sodhi joked that he was not overly thrilled at the prospect of playing against the wunderkind.

"I don't want to bowl to that guy," Sodhi laughed.

"I might have to learn some off-spin, to spin the ball away from him. It's that kind of breed of cricketer that's just becoming a lot more common these days with the amount of T20 cricket that they're playing over in India."

Sodhi said that Sooryavanshi brought another level of entertainment.

"I firmly believe that the T20 side that they send over here, there might be some young guys that come through, but the skill level's immense and it's going to be very challenging, but great to watch."

Though the Bradman comparisons may seem premature, it is only natural that Sooryavanshi has been spoken alongside another Indian prodigy to have captured the world's' attention at a tender age.

Sodhi felt Sooryavanshi had the potential to usurp even the stardom of Sachin Tendulkar.

"It's hard to say that he won't reach that level of fandom. He's only 15, isn't he? The skill level is just crazy. He's striking at over 200 and you don't, you know, I've never really seen anyone hit the ball as cleanly as he has, so I'm sure there'll be three or four of them around as well."

With an army of Indian fans set to follow their side across the country, Sodhi said they bring an atmosphere like no other supporters.

"It doesn't compare, it's literally the best atmosphere you can play cricket in. Even at some of the small grounds, the boutique grounds, they're really packed in, the crowds on top of you, it's something that's really special and to be a part of so we're very excited to have these full crowds for that tour, hopefully the cricket's up to, up to par."

After New Zealand's historic test series whitewash in 2024, Sodhi is expecting a vengeful Indian side.

"We feel like the rivalry is getting bigger and bigger and having beaten them over there three-nil, I'm sure they'll be wanting to come here and do something really special too."

Black Caps vs India full schedule

T20Is

1. Oct 22 – Christchurch

2. Oct 24 – Christchurch

3. Oct 27 – Wellington

4. Oct 30 – Auckland

5. Nov 1 – Hamilton

ODIs

6. Nov 4 – Auckland

7. Nov 7 – Wellington

8. Nov 10 – Hamilton

9. Nov 13 – Tauranga

10. Nov 15 – Tauranga

Tests

11. Nov 19–23 – Wellington (Basin Reserve)

12. Nov 27–Dec 1 – Christchurch (Hagley Oval)

(This story was first published on rnz.co.nz.)

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