Sachin Tendulkar praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary IPL 2026 season but urged cricket fans and experts not to burden the teenage sensation with unrealistic expectations too early.
The remarkable rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. Following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign that shattered multiple records, the 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter has become the centre of discussions surrounding India’s future across formats.
With calls for an immediate national team debut growing louder after every innings, opinions continue to pour in from former players, experts and fans. However, one of the most respected voices in world cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, believes the teenager must be allowed to grow naturally without being overwhelmed by expectations.
Speaking during the Cricinfo Honours event in Mumbai, where he was recognised as the best men’s international batter of the 21st century, Tendulkar acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s immense talent while advising caution over the growing hype.
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Tendulkar Left Impressed By Sooryavanshi’s Unique Talent
The batting great revealed that he decided to closely watch the youngster after hearing widespread praise about his performances during IPL 2026.
“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.
“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.”
Sooryavanshi produced one of the greatest seasons in IPL history, scoring 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.31. He also smashed 72 sixes, surpassing Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record of 59 maximums in a single edition.
‘Let Him Be Himself’: Tendulkar’s Advice For The Teenager
While many have already started discussing Sooryavanshi’s place in India’s senior side, Tendulkar believes the youngster should not be overloaded with instructions or expectations.
The Master Blaster stressed that Sooryavanshi’s natural instincts are his greatest strength and should be protected.
“I would tell him to just be himself,” Tendulkar said.
“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 also pointed out that every cricketer eventually encounters difficult situations and that experience remains the best teacher.
“There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. The bowler is asking a question every ball. Now, what solutions do you find?”
Tendulkar Wants Patience Over Test Cricket Discussions
As conversations increasingly move towards whether Sooryavanshi can become an all-format player, Tendulkar urged patience regarding Test cricket.
With chief selector Ajit Agarkar present at the event, Tendulkar joked about being careful with his comments before sharing his thoughts on the youngster’s future.
“When Ajit is sitting here, I better be careful what I am saying,” he joked.
“Not just me, but everyone would want to see him at some stage. I don’t know when that is going to happen.
“But an exciting talent needs encouragement. If he’s doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all and not put pressure on him constantly.”
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For now, Sooryavanshi’s focus remains on building upon a record-breaking IPL season. While an India call-up appears increasingly inevitable, Tendulkar’s message is clear: allow the teenager the freedom and time to develop without rushing the process.
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