Sachin Tendulkar calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘Truly Special’, urges coaches not to alter his natural game
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as a "truly special" talent and advising coaches to preserve the youngster's natural instincts as he develops.
Speaking at the Cricinfo Awards, Tendulkar said Sooryavanshi's batting impressed him not only because of his power-hitting but also due to his exceptional wrist work and ability to play shots all around the ground.
The 15-year-old from Bihar enjoyed a remarkable IPL season, scoring 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.31. His fearless approach saw him take on some of the world's top bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins, further strengthening his reputation as one of Indian cricket's brightest young stars.
Tendulkar noted that Sooryavanshi does not rely on blind aggression but instead reads the line and length of deliveries early, allowing him to clear boundaries with ease. He emphasized that the youngster's natural ability to react instinctively to the ball should not be disrupted by excessive coaching instructions.
The cricket icon also expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi has the potential to play Test cricket for India in the future. However, he cautioned against placing too much pressure on the teenager, saying young talents need encouragement, patience, and the freedom to grow at their own pace.
According to Tendulkar, challenges are a part of every cricketer's journey, and Sooryavanshi will gradually learn to handle different situations as he gains experience. For now, he believes the focus should be on supporting the youngster and allowing him to continue playing with confidence and freedom.
