Key facts
- 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is predicted to surpass Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in career achievements.
- Sooryavanshi had a successful IPL 2026 season, scoring 776 runs and winning the Orange Cap.
- He has been selected for the India T20 squad for upcoming tours.
- Dale Steyn emphasized the importance of careful management to prevent burnout for the young player.
- Steyn noted Sooryavanshi's exceptional ball-striking ability as a key strength.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has boldly predicted that 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is poised to achieve more than legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli by the end of his career. Sooryavanshi's remarkable performance in IPL 2026, where he scored 776 runs to claim the Orange Cap, has earned him a spot in the India T20 squad for upcoming tours.
Steyn described Sooryavanshi as "different gravy" and a "boy wonder," suggesting he is already performing at a level exceeding many international players. However, he stressed the critical need for careful management of the young talent to ensure a long and successful career, warning that mismanagement could lead to his loss to the sport.
Sooryavanshi's success is attributed to his exceptional ball-striking ability, particularly on good wickets with slightly smaller fields, which he has exploited effectively. Steyn suggested that bowlers could challenge him with short balls and a "fear factor" to disrupt his game, citing Kagiso Rabada's effective bowling against him.
Steyn also commented on Virat Kohli's sustained performance, attributing it to his mental approach and self-drive. Regarding bowlers in T20 cricket, Steyn advised judicious use of variations, highlighting Fazalhaq Farooqi as a bowler with many skills but emphasizing the importance of knowing when and how to deploy them to avoid confusion.