Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker once again proved that her composure extends far beyond the shooting range. But while Bhaker is being praised for her grace, the internet is venting its fury at the reporter who used a platform celebrating Olympic excellence to question the shooter about the teenage cricket sensation.
The incident occurred during an event in New Delhi to mark the 75th anniversary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). The crme de la crme of the Indian shooting fraternity addressed the gathering, which aimed to honor the sport’s rich history, which includes Bhaker’s historic two-medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The atmosphere changed when the reporter diverted from the topic of the day and asked Bhaker for her opinion Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, A 15-year-old cricketer who recently took the IPL by storm. Sooryavanshi, who recently became the youngest player to score 1000 runs in T20 cricket, has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since his debut.
SHE’S AN OLYMPIC MEDALIST FOLKS!
The question didn’t sit well with sports fans and social media users who quickly took to X and Instagram to interview the journalist. The primary complaint among netizens was the perceived “cricket-oriented” bias of the Indian media, even at an event specifically designed to honor Olympians.
“Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. Asking her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sports. Cricket is the reigning passion of the country anyway. Your sports editors don’t need another celebrity quote to spin a headline about Sooryavanshi. Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav, Jouoryy, looks like Bhavanshi.” Bhattacharjya, a renowned sports broadcaster, wrote on X.
“Why are people asking her about cricketers? Her two Olympic medals are bigger than the entire IPL,” another user wrote.
Despite the sharp shift in subject matter, Bhaker handled the situation with the same “ice in the veins” temperament. which won two bronze medals in Paris. Instead of dismissing the question or showing irritation, she gave a thoughtful response to the pressures of being a young prodigy.
“I would say if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good and the people around him are good, then age is just a number. And there’s no age for talent. Great things happen at 60; they happen at six. So if the people around him mentor him well and guide him well, then I’m sure he’ll be the next big star,” she said.
Her response – focused on the universal journey of an athlete rather than the specifics of cricket – was hailed as a masterclass in media work and professional maturity.
The controversy reignited a long-standing debate in the Indian sports ecosystem regarding the “shadow of cricket”. While the Indian government and private entities have significantly increased funding for Olympic sports, critics say the media environment remains disproportionately focused on cricketers.
The event in New Delhi was meant to be a rare moment of exclusive celebration of shooting, a sport that has consistently brought India Olympic glory. For many, the reporter’s question served as a reminder of the uphill battle Olympic athletes face in maintaining the full attention of the public.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
28 Apr 2026 10:20 IST
