Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The New Sachin Tendulkar? Kiran More Praises RR Prodigy
A Rising Star Captured the Imagination of Cricket Legends
In the high-stakes arena of the Indian Premier League, few players manage to transcend the noise of the tournament to capture the genuine attention of cricket stalwarts. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old opener from Bihar, has done exactly that. Currently making waves for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 IPL season, Sooryavanshi is being hailed by none other than former chief selector Kiran More as a talent reminiscent of a young Sachin Tendulkar.
The Impact of the 15-Year-Old Prodigy
Sooryavanshi’s journey in the IPL has been nothing short of extraordinary. After debuting as the youngest player in the league’s history, he has returned for the 2026 season with renewed vigor. His statistics are staggering for a player of his age; he has amassed 579 runs in just 13 matches. Boasting an incredible strike rate of 236.32, he has already notched up one century and three half-centuries, with a top score of 103.
Beyond the raw numbers, it is the nature of his aggression that has caught the eye. With 53 sixes already to his name, he stands on the cusp of shattering Chris Gayle’s single-season record of 59. Furthermore, he has etched his name into the history books as the youngest Indian player to record multiple centuries in the IPL, highlighting a maturity that defies his teenage years.
Kiran More’s High Praise
Kiran More, whose legacy in Indian cricket is solidified by his role as the chief selector who identified MS Dhoni in 2004, does not throw around comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar lightly. Having played alongside Tendulkar during his debut series in Pakistan in 1989, More possesses a unique perspective on what constitutes a generational talent.
In a recent statement, More reflected on his initial impressions of the Master Blaster and drew direct parallels to the young RR opener. “When I first saw Sachin Tendulkar, who came in the Indian team for the first time and batted against a great bowler, I knew right away that he was something special. The same is with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; he is special,” More explained. According to More, Sooryavanshi is a natural athlete, seemingly prepared by fate for the rigors of professional cricket.
From IPL Heroics to the National Stage
The recognition of Sooryavanshi’s talent has extended beyond the IPL. He was recently included in the India A squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka, marking his transition toward senior international cricket. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has acknowledged his progress, though he notes that the competition for places remains fierce, with established talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal already cementing their spots in the hierarchy.
Sooryavanshi’s transition to List-A cricket has been seamless, accumulating 333 runs at an average of 44.12. His dominance at the U19 level is even more pronounced, where he serves as India’s leading run-scorer with 1412 runs at an average of 56.48. With four tons and seven fifties in U19 ODIs, the trajectory of his career suggests that he is not merely a flash in the pan but a long-term prospect for the Indian national team.
What Lies Ahead
As the cricketing world watches, the pressure on the young shoulders of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will inevitably increase. However, if his performances in the IPL 2026 are any indicator, he possesses the temperament and the technical foundation to handle the weight of such high expectations. Whether he follows in the footsteps of the legends he is compared to remains to be seen, but for now, he is undeniably one of the most exciting prospects in modern cricket.
