Manish Ojha hopeful of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi representing India in Tes…

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s coach Manish Ojha wants his ward not just to be satisfied at representing the country, but to contribute in a big way and help India win matches through his performances.

On Saturday, Sooryavanshi, 15, who is currently on India ‘A’ duty in Sri Lanka, received his maiden senior Team India call-up for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England, besides the Asian Games. “I was expecting Vaibhav to break into India’s T20 team because of the way he performed recently in the IPL and earlier during India’s U-19 World Cup triumph. It’s a very proud and big moment for me as Vaibhav is the first player I have coached to be selected to represent Team India. I’m 100 per cent sure that he will make it to the playing XI given the way he’s batting and performing currently,” Ojha told Sunday mid-day over the phone from Patna on Saturday.

Ojha’s advice to Sooryavanshi is to perform like batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who also shouldered international responsibility from a young age. “My advice is to play his natural game, score runs at the highest level, just as you did in the IPL and help India win matches. I want Vaibhav to be a match-winner for India just like Sachin Tendulkar, who did the same from an early age,” Ojha said, adding though that his ultimate aim is to see his ward in Test whites.

“Next, I want Vaibhav to perform big in red-ball cricket too. I want him to play Test cricket for India,” Ojha signed off.

Lamine Yamal is a Spanish footballer who plays mainly on the right wing. He also plays for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. He came through La Masia, Barcelona’s youth system. He joined the senior squad in the 2023–24 season.

Yamal became the youngest player ever nominated for the Ballon d’Or at 17. He also won the Kopa Trophy in 2024 and again in 2025. That award goes to the best young player in the world. He helped Barcelona win a domestic treble in the next season. The club lifted La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España.

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Lamine Yamal

His Name Is a Tribute to Two Strangers

His father Mounir promised that if he ever had a son, he would name him after two strangers – Lamine and Yamal – who helped his family pay the rent during their hardest times. That’s why his full name is Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana. A beautiful debt of gratitude stamped on his identity forever.

Refused to Sign Contract Without His Grandmother

When it was time for Yamal to sign his long-term Barcelona deal in 2025, he delayed the official photoshoot. His paternal grandmother, Fatima, who raised him and is his biggest inspiration, couldn’t attend. He refused to proceed without her by his side. Family first, always. No signature without her blessing.

Scouted by Barcelona at Just 4 Years Old

Before most kids started school, Lamine Yamal was already on Barcelona’s radar. A scout watched him play in a 6-0 victory and reportedly said: “This kid has to play for Barça.” By age 7, he was in La Masia. A four-year-old spotted, a teenager delivered. The scouting report of a lifetime.

Broke a 100-Year-Old Record on His Debut

When Lamine Yamal made his Barcelona first-team debut in April 2023, he was just 15 years and 290 days old. That made him the youngest player to debut for the club since 1922 – breaking a record that had stood for over a century. A teenager erasing history written before his grandparents were born.

‘304’ Celebration Honors His Humble Roots

Whenever Yamal scores, he holds up his hands to form the numbers 3-0-4. It’s a tribute to Rocafonda, the working-class neighbourhood in Mataró where he grew up – specifically its postal code. Not a flashy gesture, but a quiet nod to the streets and people who shaped him.

Once Told a Woman His Name Was ‘Ryan’

Even global superstars get mistaken for regular people. A woman in Barcelona asked Yamal to take a photo of her and her friends, then asked for his name. He replied with a cheeky smile: “Ryan.” She didn’t believe him, but he doubled down on the fake name. Innocent mischief.

Wakes Up at Night to Eat Sweets

In a surprisingly relatable confession, Yamal admitted he has a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to eat sweets and biscuits. He jokingly pointed out that this might be the reason he hasn’t been in a long-term relationship. A teenage superstar with a midnight sugar rush.

Proudly Wears Flags of Morocco and Equatorial Guinea

Yamal was born in Spain and represents La Roja, but he never forgets his heritage. On his custom Adidas boots, you’ll find the flags of Morocco (his father’s homeland) and Equatorial Guinea (his mother’s homeland) stitched prominently. A young man carrying three nations on his feet.

His ‘Faithful Wife’ Is a PlayStation

When asked about his hobbies, Yamal is brutally honest. He has openly called his PlayStation his “faithful wife.” His favourite games are Call of Duty and EA Sports FC. No girlfriend drama, just a controller and a screen. A teenage prodigy who finds love in gaming.

Had a Brief Romance with a Famous Argentine Singer

He may still be a teenager, but Yamal has already dated in the spotlight. In 2025, he had a short but highly publicised relationship with Nicki Nicole, a well-known Argentine singer and rapper. They went public in August 2025 but split after just a few months. Young love, fast flame.

FAQs

Q. Which club does Lamine Yamal play for?

A. Yamal plays for FC Barcelona.

Q. What position does Lamine Yamal mainly play?

A. Yamal mainly plays as a right winger.

Q. What award has Lamine Yamal won twice?

A. Yamal won the Kopa Trophy in 2024 and 2025.

Q. What major tournament did Spain win with Yamal?

A. Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 with him in the squad.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets India call-up

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise has reached an unprecedented height, with the 15-year-old earning a place in India’s T20I squad for the Ireland and England tours after a record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign. If he plays, Sooryavanshi will become India’s youngest-ever international debutant, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record. The Rajasthan Royals opener finished IPL 2026 with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. His selection shows how highly the BCCI rates his talent. Read more here.

Hardik Pandya injury update

India have received a major boost ahead of the Afghanistan ODI series, with Hardik Pandya reportedly receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. The all-rounder, who suffered a back injury during IPL 2026, underwent assessment after concerns over his availability. A positive report has now paved the way for his ODI return, having last played the format in March 2025. The clearance comes at an important time for India, especially with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli managing fitness issues. While questions remain over Hardik’s ability to handle a full 50-over workload, he is now expected to feature in the series against Afghanistan. Read more here.

Virat Kohli replacement named

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India’s ODI series against Afghanistan after sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final while playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed the setback and announced Yashasvi Jaiswal as Kohli’s replacement in the squad. The injury is not serious enough to require surgery, but Kohli is expected to need around six weeks of recovery, ending hopes of an immediate international return after a six-month break. While the BCCI remains optimistic about his availability for the England ODI series in July, a final assessment from the medical team is still awaited. Read more here.

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  Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after departure as India’s T20I captain

Shreyas Iyer replaces Suryakumar Yadav

India have ushered in a new era in T20I cricket by appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain for the Ireland and England tours, as well as the Asian Games 2026. The move ends Suryakumar Yadav’s stint as skipper despite him leading India to the T20 World Cup 2026 title, with the selectors opting to look ahead to the next World Cup cycle and the Los Angeles Olympics. Iyer returns to the T20I setup after nearly three years on the back of impeccable performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, where he has also impressed as a leader. Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. Read more here.

IND vs AFG Day 1 saw Gill’s century

India dominated the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, finishing at 368/3 thanks to an unbeaten century from captain Shubman Gill and a 100 from KL Rahul. After winning the toss on a batting-friendly surface in New Chandigarh, India recovered from an early setback through a 139-run partnership between Rahul and Sai Sudharsan, who impressed with a fluent 81. Rahul brought up his 12th Test hundred before departing, while Gill remained in complete control en route to an unbeaten 103. Rishabh Pant added a brisk half-century as India piled on 159 runs in the final session to take firm control of the match.

Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence

Suryakumar Yadav has reacted gracefully to losing India’s T20I captaincy and his place in the squad, publicly backing both the team and his successor, Shreyas Iyer. Speaking after a T20 Mumbai League match, Suryakumar said he was delighted for Iyer and proud that Mumbai has produced three successive India T20I captains. Despite leading India to Asia Cup and T20 World Cup triumphs during his tenure, Suryakumar paid the price for a prolonged dip in batting form. He also congratulated 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on his maiden India call-up, praising the youngster’s rise and saying he was excited to follow his journey in international cricket. Read more here.

The post DRS June 7: Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli injury update & Sooryavanshi to debut under Shreyas Iyer? appeared first on Inside Sport India.

Rising through Mumbai cricket is never easy, and neither is leading a team from the front but judging by Shreyas Iyer’s impressive captaincy record in the IPL in recent years, Rohit Sharma believes the Mumbai batter is well-equipped to thrive in the role.

Shreyas was heralded as the new Indian captain in the shortest format while Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the team as the three-time World Cup winners pressed reset to their T20 leadership, with key assignments such as this year’s Asia Cup and the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup in mind.

Rohit said Shreyas’ performances as captain in IPL — where he won the 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders and led Punjab Kings to final in 2025 — will give him the requisite experience for the Indian captaincy role.

“I’m sure looking at how he has captained in the last few years for his franchise, he’s going to have a good time," Rohit, the brand ambassador of the T20 Mumbai League, said here on Saturday.

Rohit, who captained India to their second T20 World Cup win in 2024, said nothing comes easy for a Mumbai cricketer but Shreyas would know captaincy is a title that one has to earn.

“Look, playing in Mumbai, representing Mumbai teaches you a lot of things. If you ask anyone who has captained India or Mumbai before us, they’ll tell you the same thing. Nothing comes easy here. I’m pretty sure it’s the same elsewhere as well. But here – I’m just talking about Mumbai – nothing comes easy."

“You have to really earn it so captaincy is also something that you have to earn and earn the respect of people around you and that is something that all these guys have it," he said.

Rohit also heaped praise on Suryakumar’s stint as India captain which culminated with the national side clinching their record-extending third T20 World Cup title earlier this year.

“I’m pretty sure nothing has come easy, especially for Surya," Rohit said.

“He made his India debut at 30 or 31, if I’m not wrong, which means that he never gave up. He always wanted to be in the fight and when it came, he wanted to grab it with both hands, and he did it," he added.

Suryakumar, who captained the Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in their contest against Sobo Mumbai Falcons, said he was happy knowing another Mumbai player has taken over the reins of the national T20I team.

“So many things are happening but very, very happy for Shreyas as he is getting to lead the T20 Indian team," Suryakumar said at the toss.

“We have played a lot of cricket together here in Bombay and most important thing what I felt is that three back-to-back Mumbai captains (are) going on to lead in T20Is for India. I think it is a very proud moment and everyone needs to celebrate that," he added.

Rohit said the talent in the fourth edition of the T20 Mumbai League, which is running concurrently with the inaugural three-team women’s edition, has “unreal" talent.

“Looking at what has happened and what has transpired, I’m not at all surprised by it. Because the talent that we get to see is unreal, and that is what we want, right?," he said.

“We want the platform for all the players to come out and show their talent and this is the perfect platform for a lot of these guys who are playing and taking part in it," Rohit added.