Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar has described 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as “truly special,” while also making it clear that the teenager should not be pushed into Test cricket too quickly. Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm, posting 776 runs at an eye-catching strike rate of 237.31, smashing 72 sixes to set a world record. His fearless, aggressive approach has won over crowds and earned admiration from experts, and Tendulkar said he was especially impressed by the youngster’s technique.
“Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat—it was magnificent,” Tendulkar said. “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 highlighted that wrist strength and control allow a batter to execute shots in multiple directions. “To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work,” he explained. “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.”
Sooryavanshi’s sustained run of form has triggered growing calls for his inclusion in the Indian set-up. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has also endorsed the argument, stating the youngster is “more than ready.” Tendulkar agreed that the prospect is exciting, but stressed that Sooryavanshi should be allowed to keep playing in his own natural style.
“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?”
Tendulkar added that Sooryavanshi appears extremely certain about what he wants to do, and he cautioned against interfering with that instinct. “He’s kind of a player who looks very confident, very, very sure of what he wants to do,” he said. “And I would not want to play around with his natural instincts.”
He also noted that the biggest adjustment in Tests would come if Sooryavanshi’s thought process were disrupted by too many instructions. “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 explained. “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.”
Wrapping up, Tendulkar said the wider cricketing world would like to see Sooryavanshi in Tests at some stage, but insisted the talent must be supported without constant pressure. “Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage,” he said. “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,” he concluded.
