Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as “truly special” and warning that nobody should interfere with the youngster’s natural instincts.
Sooryavanshi’s breakout season in IPL 2026 has been nothing short of record-setting. He finished with 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals, striking at 237.31. He also smashed 72 sixes, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous IPL-season record of 59 maximums.
Speaking at the Cricinfo Honours in Mumbai, where he was named the best men’s international batter of the 21st century, Tendulkar said he had closely watched Sooryavanshi bat and was impressed by the way the teenager went about his work. “Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat – he was magnificent. I mean he is something truly special. And not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has,” Tendulkar said.
He added that the key to playing shots in every direction is the kind of control Sooryavanshi shows early. “To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work. And he is not slogging the ball. He is just picking the line and length earlier than the rest of the guys and he is able to clear the rope comfortably.”
Tendulkar also indicated that he would like Sooryavanshi to transition to Test cricket eventually, but insisted the youngster should not be rushed into it. He urged fans and well-wishers to back the teenager while avoiding relentless pressure.
“I would tell him to just be himself,” Tendulkar said. “There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. [It’s about] having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems are always going to be there. Problems will be there till the last day of your career, till the last ball you face. The bowler is asking a question every ball. Now, what solutions do you find?”
He continued: “He’s kind of a player who looks very confident, very, very sure of what he wants to do, and I would not want to play around with his natural instincts. The way he sees the ball and the way he responds to that, if that signal is interrupted – if you put a lot of hurdles in between that by telling him multiple things – that’s where the real challenge would be.”
Tendulkar argued that the best approach would be to let Sooryavanshi continue batting in his own style as he grows. “I would give him the freedom to go out and bat the way he does. Along with time, he will learn to deal with other challenges of the game.”
Finally, Tendulkar said the cricket world would naturally want to see Sooryavanshi in Tests at some point, but emphasised that encouragement should come without constant demands or scrutiny. “Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. I don’t know when that is going to happen. But an exciting talent needs encouragement. And if he’s doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all and not put pressure on him constantly, you know, he should play this, or he shouldn’t be doing this, or he should be picked in whatever squad. Leave that to the guys [selectors] who are responsible for that.”
