"I can snatch matches from opponents' hands": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
New Delhi, April 19
The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made a confident statement about his approach to the game and long-term ambition of representing India at the senior level, while also underlining his belief in his ability to change matches in pressure situations.
Speaking on Doordarshan, Sooryavanshi reflected on his mindset at the crease and the conversations he has had with his family regarding his cricketing journey.
Emphasising his self-belief, he said he remains focused on utilising his skills to influence games whenever he is at the crease.
"For whatever duration I am on the ground, as long as I am using my skills, dominate and play, I can snatch the match from opponents' hands. I also spoke to my father. He said I have fulfilled half of his dream, but half is still left. I need to play in the World Cup for the senior Indian team. Of course, every player shares the same dream: to play for the seniors and win for their country, India. That is my focus for India," Sooryavanshi said.
Former India cricketer Saba Karim, who also featured in the discussion, praised Sooryavanshi's natural striking ability and compared his raw power to some of the best batters seen at a young age.
However, he made a distinction between power and technical refinement, suggesting that the youngster's biggest strength lies in his natural ability rather than structured coaching.
"The power I saw in Sachin Tendulkar at a similar age, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has more power than that. I am talking about power, not technique. This boy's bat speed, his swing, his high back-lift, that is unbelievable. And no coach can teach that. You get that by birth."
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 so far, Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has smashed 246 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 236.53.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The stats are mind-blowing - a strike rate of 236 in the IPL at his age! But I hope the media and fans don't put too much pressure on him. Let him enjoy his cricket and develop naturally. We've seen many talents fade under the weight of expectations.
"I can snatch matches from opponents' hands" – kya dialogue maara hai! 😄 Love the self-belief. His father's dream is every Indian cricket parent's dream. Hope he keeps his head on his shoulders and works hard. Jai Hind!
Saba Karim makes a very important point. Natural power is god-gifted, but technique can be taught. The BCCI system must ensure he gets the best coaches now to build a solid foundation. We don't want another raw talent lost due to lack of proper structure.
Respectfully, while the talent is undeniable, let's not get carried away with comparisons to Sachin sir. That creates an unfair burden. Let Vaibhav be Vaibhav. His journey has just begun. Wishing him all the best for a long and successful career.
So inspiring to see young athletes with such clear goals. Playing for the senior team and winning the World Cup for India – that's the dream! Hope he stays grounded and focused. The IPL performance is just the start.
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