Published: January 15, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Almost every day, the name of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is splashed across the headlines throughout the country. The 14-year-old prodigy is in the news these days for pulling off incredible feats with the bat. Quite recently, in November 2025, he smashed an astonishing 144 runs off just 42 balls while playing for India A against the UAE in the Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 match. He scored his century off just 32 balls.
He made history at the IPL 2025 auction when, at the age of 13, he became the youngest to earn an IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore. By then, he had already represented India under-19, for whom he had cracked a 58-ball century in a four-day game against Australia under-19.
His batting prowess has led to inevitable comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. At the tender age of 14, the boy wonder has forced the cricketing world to sit up and take notice like Sachin had done many years ago. Is the lad from Bihar destined to become another Sachin Tendulkar?
Let us examine the facts. When Sachin Tendulkar was of a similar age as Vaibhav is now, the white ball game was not so abundantly played. In his debut Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai against Gujarat, Sachin scored 100 not out and became the youngest player to score a century on debut. But Sachin did not have the kind of opportunities that Vaibav has now. It was a different era. There was less sponsorship, less exposure and less media glare.
Sachin’s early international success came Down Under
Sachin Tendulkar’s arly feats included a century on the notoriously hard WACA pitch in Perth at age 18
A peek at Sachin’s bio data reveals that at the age of 13 he had scored 9 centuries in inter-school matches. This included two double centuries. At the age of 15, while playing in the Vijay Merchant inter-zonal tournament, he scored 123 against Maharashtra.
Sachin’s performances in the Giles Shield tournament in Mumbai for under-15 boys was excellent. Sachin captained his school, Sadarsharam Vidyamandir, which won the trophy in 1986-87. At a slightly older age (under-17) he scored 276 runs in a single day against BPM High School. But by then he had already begun playing for India.
Sachin’s early international success came in demanding conditions in Australia. His early feats included a century on the notoriously hard WACA pitch in Perth at age 18. It was a feat that many established players had failed to achieve. Vaibhav’s most explosive performances have been in the IPL and under-19 matches, which are significant but are not equal to the pressures of senior international Test cricket against feared Australian bowlers of the era.
Vaibhav is good but needs to be as disciplined as Sachin
Vaibhav played as a 12-year-old in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy for Bihar’s under-19 side. In 2023, he played for the India B under-19 side in a quadrangular series, scoring 177 runs in six innings, including two half-centuries.
In September 2024, he made his debut for India under-19 against Australia under-19 and scored a 58-ball century on his under-19 debut. It was the fastest by an Indian under-19 player. This was the second-fastest century in under-19 international cricket. At the ACC under-19 Asia Cup, Vaibhav scored 76 off 46 balls against UAE under-19s. This was followed by 67 runs from 36 balls in the semifinal against Sri Lanka.
In timing and shot selection, Vaibhav is very good. But apart from the physical skills and talent, Vaibhav has to make himself as disciplined and emotionally controlled as Sachin Tendulkar. In this respect, Sachin was miles ahead and remains a role model for all youngsters to copy. Temperament and talent must combine in a smooth blend. Only then it will take Vaibhav to the top.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has to make himself as disciplined and emotionally controlled as Sachin Tendulkar
‘Vaibhav needs to control his anger and stay humble’
The well-known cricket commentator and writer Boria Majumdar has written that the young lad needs to control his emotions after he made an unbecoming gesture at Pakistan’s Ali Raza during the under-19 Asia Cup. Boria wrote: “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s talent is unquestionable, but his on-field reaction highlighted a serious lapse in temperament. Fame and pressure demand restraint, especially in politically charged international contests.”
“Learning to control his anger and staying humble is essential for his growth as a cricketer. Vaibhav is hugely talented – indeed, one of the most gifted youngsters around. And yet, when it comes to temperament, there is much to be desired,” wrote Majumdar after an incident wherein Vaibhav pointed to his feet and then at the Pakistani bowler, making his meaning clear. That day, a mature player would have realised that it was not his day. Learning to deal with failure is a part of growing up in sport.
New breed is aggressive and arrogant
The IPL has given birth to a new breed of young players who are more aggressive and more arrogant than young players used to be in the past. The youngsters of today earn more money, get more media hype and there is more pressure to keep up their performance levels. Sachin Tendulkar never had that environment in his growing up years. It was a blessing in disguise.
Where the mental and emotional qualities are concerned, Vaibhav has yet to catch up with Sachin. That is not to say that he will never be able to do it, but as of now he needs to work on it. Vaibhav is blossoming. There is a need for the cricket system of India, which includes the board, the players and the media, to protect and nurture Vaibhav’s talent.
Expecting him to become another Sachin overnight, or even within a couple of years, may put pressure on him and ruin his mental approach forever. He has the physical skills and now must work on building up his temperament and controlling his emotions to reach the topmost level like Sachin. If he can do that, then the sky’s the limit.
