‘I’d give him freedom’: Sachin Tendulkar backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Test cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: With his powerful strokeplay, ability to thrive under pressure and ability to dismantle some of the world’s best bowlers, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned praise from all quarters, including the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.Describing Sooryavanshi as “really special”, Tendulkar said he would like to see the youngster play Test cricket but warned against rushing him into the format. Sooryavanshi enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 season for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. His tally of 72 sixes not only underlined his dominance but also broke the record for most sixes in a single IPL season, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous mark of 59.“Everyone talks about Sooryavanshi and I watched him bat – it was amazing,” said Tendulkar, who was named the best international batsman of the 21st century at the Cricinfo Honors in Mumbai. “I mean, there’s something really special. And not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has.”“You need good wrist work to play all the way down the ground. And he doesn’t tear the ball. He just picks line and length earlier than other guys and is able to clear the rope comfortably.”There was considerable discussion about a possible Indian call to Sooryavanshi. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara also backed the idea after the team’s defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, saying the 15-year-old is “more than ready” for international cricket.Meanwhile, Tendulkar said he would like to see Sooryavanshi play Test cricket.“I would tell him to be himself,” he said. “There’s always a first time. In Test cricket, with age, you learn how to deal with different challenges. (It’s about) having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems will always be there. Problems will be there until the last day of your career, the last ball you face. A bowler questions every ball. Now, what solutions are you going to find very surely? He does very confidently, he doesn’t look like a player who looks like a player. play with his natural instincts.“The way he sees the ball and reacts to it if that signal is broken — if you put a lot of obstacles in between by telling him more things — that’s the real challenge. I would give him the freedom to go out and hit the way he does. Over time, he’ll learn to deal with the other challenges of the game.”“Not just me, but everybody 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. And if he’s doing well, then we have to encourage him and support him and most of all enjoy him and not keep pushing him, you know, he should play it or he shouldn’t or he shouldn’t be doing it in the select people who should be selected for whoever it is.”Sooryavanshi has also been included in India’s 30-man probable list for the upcoming Asian Games.The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games will be held from September 24 to October 3.