Virat Kohli ideal idol for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? Advice of former Indian star

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary striking has already drawn comparisons with some of India’s greatest batsmen, but Harbhajan Singh believes the teenager needs more than just talent to fulfill his potential. The former India spinner wants Sooryavanshi to take inspiration from Virat Kohli and learn how to channelize his energy into cricket.

Speaking on Prakhar Gupta’s YouTube channel, Harbhajan praised the 15-year-old’s natural ability but stressed the importance of discipline and clear priorities. He believes Kohli’s approach from a young age offers Sooryavanshi a blueprint to follow as he navigates the early stages of his career.

“The way Virat channeled his energy from his youth, Virat should be Sooryavanshi’s idol. He should look up to the likes of Kohli, Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble. They all channeled their energy only into cricket and didn’t get distracted by other things. Understanding your priorities is important and for Sooryavanshi to reach the level of his talent, Harbhajan must have clear priorities,” Harbhajan said.

The former spinner also compared Sooryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar and pointed out the youngster’s remarkable ability to strike at such an early age. But his admiration came with a reminder that potential alone cannot guarantee success.

“He’s incredible and someone I’m excited to watch throughout his career. If he’s not living up to his talent, then he must have done something wrong. He’s got what Tendulkar had as a teenager. It’s still early days, but I haven’t seen that kind of batting ability at such a young age. The clarity of his vision at that age is incredible,” added Harbhajan.

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI’S STOP-START JOURNEY OF INDIA

Sooryavanshi’s domestic and franchise performances were a compelling case for his inclusion, but breaking into India’s established T20I top order proved more complicated. He made his senior international debut against England in July 2026, scoring 42 runs in three matches.

He then made a more emphatic statement on the tour of Zimbabwe, finishing with 151 runs at a strike of 196.10. Yet despite this form, he did not play in India’s three T20Is against Afghanistan, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson preferred at the top.

India coach Gautam Gambhir explained that the decision was to support established performers rather than questioning Sooryavanshi’s abilities. He said the teenager will have to wait for his opportunity, adding that players who have performed consistently over a longer period of time will remain ahead in the selection order. The same wait continued during the five-match West Indies T20I series in which Sooryavanshi did not feature.

WHY KOHLI’S JOURNEY COULD BE A BLUEPRINT

Sooryavanshi’s numbers highlight why the excitement is understandable. In the 2026 U19 World Cup, he scored 439 runs in seven matches, including an amazing 175 off 80 balls in the final against England. His task now is to translate that impact into senior international cricket, where the competition for places is considerably tougher.

Kohli’s career offers Sooryavanshi an example of how immense ability can be coupled with sustained discipline and consistency. Harbhajan also named Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble as players the teenager could learn from, highlighting their focus on cricket and their ability to keep distractions at bay.

For now, Sooryavanshi is still at the beginning of its journey. Harbhajan’s message is not to rush him into being a finished product, but to ensure that his extraordinary talent is backed by the habits and priorities needed for long-term success.

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