Vaibhav may be India’s most exciting talent in decades, but Sachin comparisons don’t hold
The emergence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi on the Indian cricket scene has sparked immense excitement and a rush of comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. While the 14-year-old prodigy's talent is undeniable, placing him in the same bracket as Tendulkar at this stage is premature.
Suryavanshi's rise has been meteoric. In December 2025, he became the youngest player to score a List A century, smashing 190 off just 84 balls for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His innings broke AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls. He also became the youngest player to sign an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract when he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals at 13 years old. In April 2025, he became the youngest player to score an IPL century, reaching the milestone in just 35 balls.
These achievements have led to effusive praise and comparisons to Tendulkar. Some have highlighted Suryavanshi's calmness at the crease, sound technique, and desire to dominate attacks, drawing parallels to Tendulkar's early career. Former India player Kris Srikkanth even advocated for Suryavanshi to be fast-tracked into the senior Indian setup, believing that the selectors should back rare talent early. Some experts have gone as far as to say that at 14, Vaibhav is more powerful than Sachin was at 16.
However, such comparisons should be viewed with caution. Tendulkar's career was defined by sustained excellence over decades, setting a benchmark that few have come close to achieving. While Suryavanshi has shown immense promise, he is still in the early stages of his career. To compare Suryavanshi to Tendulkar after just one IPL century is like calling a child Einstein for acing the Boards. Tendulkar’s is the ultimate Michelin star of cricket, that can be earned by sustained fine dining excellence for decades and not by fixing a quick meal at a popular fast-food chain outlet.
Moreover, the cricketing landscape has changed significantly since Tendulkar's emergence. The advent of T20 cricket and the IPL has provided young players with unprecedented opportunities and exposure. Suryavanshi has benefited from this system, gaining valuable experience and recognition at a young age.
While Suryavanshi's talent is undeniable, it is essential to allow him to develop without the burden of unrealistic expectations. He has the potential to become a great player, but his journey has just begun. Recent performances, such as his record-breaking 190 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and his continued success in youth ODIs, certainly point towards a bright future. As the Under-19 World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Suryavanshi, but it is crucial to remember that he is still a developing player.
Instead of focusing on comparisons to Tendulkar, it is more appropriate to appreciate Suryavanshi for his unique talent and potential. He represents a new generation of Indian cricketers who are fearless, innovative, and determined to make their mark on the world stage.
