Steve Waugh Praises Young Cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi but Urges Caution in Comparisons to Tendulkar

Waugh's Impressions of Suryavanshi

Steve Waugh, the former captain of Australia, expressed admiration for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who showcased remarkable talent while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. Waugh noted the young player's impressive confidence and skills, which seem advanced for his age. However, he advised fans and analysts to refrain from drawing direct comparisons to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at this stage.

A Historic Performance

Suryavanshi's career took a significant turn when he scored a century in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, marking the second-fastest century in IPL history and the quickest by an Indian. Despite Rajasthan Royals' overall struggles this season, the left-handed batsman managed to accumulate 252 runs in seven matches, boasting a strike rate exceeding 200. During a cricket event hosted by JioStar and Cricket Australia, Waugh commended Suryavanshi for maintaining composure and performing well under pressure.

Waugh's Insights

Waugh remarked:

"I watched that century and I just couldn't believe how well he struck the ball and how easy he was hitting the sixes and how relaxed he was...As a 14-year-old, he had no concept of pressure...just play with complete freedom, so that was great to watch. I guess for him the challenge will be to keep it under control."

He further added:

"Can he play the same way with the same enthusiasm, the same freedom as he has done this year? That'll be his challenge...He's got a lot of skill, he's mentally tough and he's got a great backstory, so you want to see someone like that be successful. It's a great story for cricket and for me watching from a long way away."

Caution Against Comparisons

Waugh emphasized the importance of not comparing Suryavanshi to Tendulkar just yet. He recalled Tendulkar's remarkable century at Perth in 1992, highlighting the challenging conditions he faced and the extensive career he built, which is difficult to replicate.

Waugh stated:

"I don't think you can compare anyone to Sachin Tendulkar. I mean, a 16-year-old (18-year-old) coming out to Australia and scoring a century in Perth on the hardest, (the) most unique pitch in world cricket where most players really struggle to play on a pitch."

He continued:

"For him to score a century as a teenager in Perth was a freakish performance. It's very rare you get a Sachin Tendulkar come along. But I would never have expected a 14-year-old to score a 100 in the IPL, that was unthinkable."

Future Prospects

While both players share the experience of captivating audiences as teenagers, Tendulkar's illustrious 24-year career sets a high bar. Waugh believes that Suryavanshi possesses significant potential, but the real challenge will be how he handles pressure and performs in the coming years.