Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has cautioned against drawing a direct comparison between Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Karthik believes the 15-year-old will encounter a completely different set of demands as his career progresses, even if his early output is drawing plenty of attention.
Karthik pointed out that while Sooryavanshi’s current form is “very special,” fans should avoid branding him as the “next Sachin.” Speaking on an upcoming episode of the Quest Talk podcast, Karthik said that Tendulkar’s journey was extraordinary in its own right, whereas Sooryavanshi’s path will be shaped by challenges that are not the same. He added that Tendulkar’s obstacles were present both on and off the field, but Sooryavanshi’s will likely be more focused on the off-field side, given that he already has strong cricketing skills and will need to manage everything that comes along outside the sport.
The Royals’ left-handed batter, who is featuring in Indian Premier League 2026, has amassed 579 runs across 13 matches. He is also at the top of the run-scoring charts, striking at 236.32, figures that have intensified the discussion around his potential and future ceiling.
In the same conversation, Karthik—who is currently working as batting coach and mentor for defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru—reflected on how the IPL has evolved since it began in 2008. He described the tournament as a “different beast” from its early days, suggesting the league has grown rapidly, with major changes influencing how cricket is played and analysed.
Karthik also highlighted the impact of modern analytics, saying the level of data and metrics being used has been phenomenal. He stressed that the IPL has become the fastest-growing T20 competition in existence, functioning as a lifestyle platform for many aspiring players, and offering a strong career route for young boys and girls who choose to pursue the sport. He further noted that the league now competes with other global sports events within a very short window of time.
