“No one has ever done it before”: Harbhajan Singh claims massive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ANI Photo) Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has praised teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him an “incredible” talent and saying the youngster is achieving something “no one has ever done before” with his fearless approach to the game.In an interview with JioStar, Harbhajan said Sooryavanshi’s confidence and willingness to follow his instincts represents the changing mindset of modern cricketers who are now encouraged to express themselves without fear of failure.“What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing today has never been done before. He is unbelievable, a great talent. I don’t think I have seen or faced such talent,” Harbhajan said.The former off-spinner also pointed out how the influence of social media has increased the visibility of young stars, bringing their acts to a much wider audience than in previous generations.“The difference between the youth of today and the youth of those days is the reach of today’s media and social media. Things happened back then, but they are much more emphasized today,” he added.

Rahul Dravid’s question and Sooryavanshi’s memorable answer

Harbhajan also recalled a memorable anecdote involving former India head coach Rahul Dravid that perfectly captured Sooryavanshi’s fearless mentality ahead of his IPL debut.According to Harbhajan, Dravid asked the youngster what he planned to do if he faced a hit delivery on the very first ball of his IPL career.“I think the biggest change is people accepting players with that fearless mindset and their approach to the game the way they want to,” he said.He continued, “Rahul Dravid was the coach of this team (Rajasthan Royals) and he asked Sooryavanshi, ‘What are you going to do on the first ball?’ He said, ‘If the first ball is in my arc, I’m going to smash it.’The story, Harbhajan said, underlined the confidence that has made the teenager one of the brightest young batting talents in Indian cricket.

Tendulkar’s advice that shaped Harbhajan’s career

Apart from praising Sooryavanshi, Harbhajan also reflected on the most valuable lesson of his career and revealed the advice he received from batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.“The best advice I ever got was from the great Sachin Tendulkar,” Harbhajan said.Remembering Tendulkar’s words, he said, “Sachin paaji told me, ‘There will be many distractions, many things will come your way, but you have to wear blinders so you can’t look left or right and only look straight ahead. And what lies ahead? Cricket! If you stay on this path, no one in the world will stop you, no species you want, do whatever you want to get whatever you want and glory, everything if you will continue on this path.”Harbhajan said he is now imparting the same message to young cricketers starting their journeys.“So I give the same advice to young people: focus on the game. The game makes you who you are. Don’t think you’re bigger than the game. If your attitude isn’t right, like this game provides, it also knows how to take it back just as quickly,” he said.