Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly collected several labels—teenage sensation, genuine talent, and a potential future star for Indian cricket. Yet one thing he’s not, despite some chatter from across the border, is an “AI-powered” batter. The idea that there could be artificial intelligence built into his bat has become a talking point as his power and precision continue to bewilder opponents and fans alike.
It began when Pakistan’s Nauman Niaz, last month, raised the question of whether an AI chip might be hidden inside Sooryavanshi’s bat. The youngster didn’t take long to respond, cutting the claim down with a blunt, no-nonsense reply. Shortly after, Jos Buttler—who has openly admitted to being a fan of Sooryavanshi—shared that he had even messaged Jofra Archer to ask whether the teenager was genuinely an AI creation. Whatever the intention behind these remarks, the reality is that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive, fearless batting has made many people wonder if he’s truly human.
As Sooryavanshi keeps turning heads, the “AI chip in bat” debate has flared up again—especially after former India head coach Ravi Shastri backed him for an international debut. The discussion resurfaced during a segment featuring Star Sports host Jatin Sapru alongside former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Aakash Chopra, who both revisited the viral question with a mix of humour and seriousness.
“Does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have an AI chip in his bat?” Sapru asked, setting off entertaining reactions from the two ex-players. Chopra, in particular, suggested that the comparison to AI isn’t entirely baseless—at least in terms of the impact and the uncanny way Sooryavanshi appears to play. He pointed out parallels between the “AI” tag and the way the teenager has started his career, adding that the similarities are difficult to ignore.
Chopra then delivered his explanation in a way that leaned more toward metaphor than technology. “If you’re able to ask such a question, then the answer is yes,” he said. “The issue with AI is that we never really know how far it can go. We assume there’s a limit, and then five years later you realise it’s gone even further. That’s what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi feels like—like an AI model. We saw Sachin Tendulkar play at 15, and we know where he ended up. But the way this boy has begun, I honestly can’t predict how far he might reach. That’s why I call him AI.” Chopra said these remarks on Star Sports’ ‘Out or Not Out’ show.
Kaif, meanwhile, struck a more measured tone. He pushed back against the idea that the hype needs to be explained away with “technology” and urged critics to acknowledge what Sooryavanshi has already delivered in a short window. Kaif noted that it’s only been a little over a year since the teenager announced himself in the IPL with a record-setting hundred against Gujarat Titans. He also referenced how Sooryavanshi’s Rajasthan Royals trial stories have already turned into something of a legend among followers of the game.
Kaif further underlined the scale of the teenager’s performances by pointing to his century-making ability across multiple strong cricketing environments. “When you consider that he has already scored centuries in three of the four SENA countries,” Kaif said, “and also remember his match-winning 175 in the Under-19 World Cup just a few months ago, it becomes obvious he’s heading toward bigger things.”
To close, Kaif addressed the “AI chip” argument directly by questioning what it would even change. “What benefit does it add to the bat?” he asked. “Let’s say there really is an AI chip inside—can anyone guarantee a hundred just because of that? If someone can, then I’ll quit commentary. You can widen the bat, make it longer, do whatever you want, but if a batter is performing like this, you still have to respect the skill. The bat has nothing to do with it here. It’s about the skill set. He has been working since he was seven and he’s put in the effort to keep improving. I genuinely say it from the heart—please give the boy credit. He’s playing brilliantly and dominating attacks.”
