‘Everybody would like to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Test’: Sachin Tendulkar on red-ball teenager’s future

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar (Image Agency) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign has sparked growing calls for the teenager to be quickly included in India’s senior set-up. But one of cricket’s greatest batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar, believes the focus should be on allowing the child to develop naturally. Tendulkar, who was honored with the ‘Best Men’s International Batter of the 21st Century’ award at the Cricinfo Honors Awards 2026, was asked about Sooryavanshi’s future and whether the Rajasthan Royals sensation could become an all-format player. The former India captain said the 15-year-old should continue to trust the instincts that have already made him one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world. “I would tell Vaibhav to be himself. There is always a first time. In Test cricket, with time and age, he will learn how to deal with different challenges while having a solution-oriented mindset.” Tendulkar pointed out that every batsman faces questions throughout his career and success often comes from finding the right answers. “The problems will always be there, until the last day of your career, until the last ball you face. The bowler is asking you something with every ball. What solutions do you find now?” He also cautioned against interfering with Sooryavanshi’s natural style, saying the youngster already looks confident in his methods. “He’s the type of player who looks very confident and very sure of what he wants to do. I wouldn’t want to interfere with his natural instincts because the way he sees the ball and reacts to it are important.” “If the signal is cut, it’s going to be a real challenge. I’d give him the freedom to go out and hit the way he does.” Tendulkar’s comments come after an extraordinary IPL season where Sooryavanshi achieved feats never before seen in the tournament. The Rajasthan Royals star became the first player in IPL history to win five major individual awards in a single season. He won the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player Award, Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season and Super Sixes of the Season. His numbers were equally staggering. Sooryavanshi finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, hitting a record 72 sixes. He surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing record of 59 sixes in a season and became the first uncapped batsman in IPL history to score two centuries in a single campaign. His outstanding performances included a 16-ball half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, which equaled the fastest fifty in IPL playoff history, and a 36-ball century against the same opposition earlier in the season. He also became the youngest batsman and fastest bowler to reach 1000 IPL runs. Despite the growing excitement surrounding his future, Tendulkar believes supporters should focus on encouraging the teenager rather than putting more pressure on him. “Not just me, everyone would like to see him play Test cricket at some stage. I don’t know when that will happen, but an exciting talent needs encouragement.” The batting legend said fans should enjoy watching Sooryavanshi flourish rather than the constant debate on when he should step up. “If he’s doing well then we have to encourage him and support him and above all enjoy him rather than putting pressure on him all the time.” Tendulkar also made it clear that decisions regarding the Indian teams should rest with the selectors and team management. “And leave the decision whether he should play, whether he shouldn’t do something, or whether he should be selected for a particular team, up to the people who are responsible for those decisions.” Tendulkar’s message for now is simple: let Sooryavanshi continue to be himself. Runs, records and opportunities may naturally follow, but most important of all remains the fearless attitude that made him such a phenomenon.