'I would give him the freedom': Sachin Tendulkar backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Test cricket challenge

NEW DELHI: With his powerful strokeplay, ability to thrive under pressure, and knack for taking apart some of the world's best bowlers, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned praise from all quarters, including legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar described Sooryavanshi as "truly special" and said he would love to see the youngster play Test cricket, but cautioned against rushing him into the format.



Sooryavanshi enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 season for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. His tally of 72 sixes not only underlined his dominance but also shattered the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous mark of 59.

"Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat - it was magnificent," Tendulkar, who was named the best men's international batter of the 21st century at Cricinfo Honours in Mumbai, 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."

There has been considerable discussion around a possible India call-up for Sooryavanshi. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara had also backed the idea after the team's defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, saying the 15-year-old was "more than ready" for international cricket.

Tendulkar, meanwhile, said he would like to see Sooryavanshi play Test cricket.

"I would tell him to just be himself," he 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? 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. 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.

"Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. 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."

Sooryavanshi has also been included in India's 30-member probables list for the upcoming Asian Games.

The men's cricket competition at the Asian Games is scheduled to be held from September 24 to October 3.










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