Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old cricketer, is making headlines in IPL 2026 with his fearless batting against top bowlers. Former cricketer Maninder Singh believes he has the potential to excel in all formats of the game, drawing parallels with legends like Virender Sehwag and Jasprit Bumrah. With guidance from Kumar Sangakkara at Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi's journey is one to watch as he navigates the pressures of cricket stardom. Will Indian cricket embrace his limitless potential?

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2026, 20:53 IST

A Unique Perspective on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Maninder Singh, a former left-arm spinner for India, has expressed his belief that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi possesses a rare quality that goes beyond mere timing or technique: perspective. In an exclusive interview with Sports Now, Maninder made an intriguing prediction about the 15-year-old cricketer, who many view as a T20 novelty. Sooryavanshi has impressively faced renowned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, hitting boundaries off their very first deliveries. This fearless approach highlights his exceptional talent.

Sooryavanshi's Potential Across Formats

Why Sooryavanshi Can Do What Sehwag and Bumrah Did?

According to Maninder, Sooryavanshi has made a significant impact in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) and possesses the skill set to excel in all formats of cricket. He draws comparisons to two of India's cricketing legends, Virender Sehwag and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom were initially labeled as primarily white-ball players before proving their critics wrong in Test cricket. Maninder recalled, "When Virender Sehwag emerged, many believed he was only suited for white-ball cricket. Similarly, when Bumrah debuted, people thought he would only play limited-overs formats. Yet, both have excelled in Tests."

The Impact of Kumar Sangakkara

The Kumar Sangakkara Influence At Rajasthan Royals

Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi is surrounded by mentors like Kumar Sangakkara, who understand the pressures of the game. Maninder emphasized the importance of these interactions, stating, "With Sangakkara's experience, I'm sure he provides valuable insights on managing expectations." While some former players express caution about rushing Sooryavanshi into international cricket, citing examples like Prithvi Shaw, Maninder believes Sooryavanshi has a strong mindset and knows his goals. The question now may not be if he is ready for all formats, but whether Indian cricket is prepared to embrace his potential without limitations.