NEW DELHI: A moment at the National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) 75th anniversary event in Delhi has turned into a surprising talking point online after Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker was asked a question that pulled her away from her own sport and toward a teenage cricket name. The interaction, meant to be a light cross-sport nod between two young Indian performers, quickly became a flashpoint—sparking criticism that the line of questioning was poorly framed and unfair to Bhaker’s accomplishments.
The controversy began when Bhaker was asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old who has been drawing plenty of attention for his batting. Bhaker’s response, however, was composed and reflective. She said: “I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent.” She added: “Great things happen at 60, they happen at six. So if the people around him mentor him well and guide him properly, then I am sure he will be the next big star.” In her remarks, Bhaker underlined a theme common to elite sport—how crucial coaching, support, and the right environment are when a young athlete is pushed toward higher levels of competition.
Still, many social media users felt the question itself should never have taken that direction. Critics argued that by centring Sooryavanshi instead of Bhaker’s Olympic journey, the conversation effectively sidelined the shooter’s achievements and reduced her moment to a cricket-related headline. One prominent commentator, former KKR team director Joy Bhattacharjya, wrote: “Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country; your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi. Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see the looks you get.” Others echoed a similar sentiment, pointing out that athletes from non-cricket disciplines are often drawn into cricket narratives—particularly when media cycles are heavily driven by big names and catchy storylines.
While the debate played out, Sooryavanshi himself continued to build momentum in cricket circles, with recent milestones in IPL performances keeping him firmly in the spotlight. At just 15, he has already become the youngest player to reach 1,000 T20 runs, and his impact in the league has included multiple standout innings—featuring both centuries and high-strike-rate knocks. His India Under-19 record has also reflected consistent, high-volume scoring, reinforcing the idea that he is one of the most closely watched young batters in the pipeline. With his rise gathering attention, many fans have already voiced the hope of seeing him fast-tracked into India’s senior setup.
As the IPL conversation continues to heat up, supporters are also keeping a close eye on live match updates, the schedule, and the points race—along with the ongoing battle for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
