Mumbai: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has thrown his support behind teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying he would love to see the 15-year-old play Test cricket for India in the future. However, the batting great cautioned against rushing the youngster into the longest format, emphasising the need for patience and proper development.

Sooryavanshi has emerged as one of the brightest stars of IPL 2026, captivating fans and experts alike with his fearless batting and remarkable consistency. The Rajasthan Royals opener enjoyed a record-breaking season, scoring 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31 and smashing 72 sixes, setting a new world record in the process.

His extraordinary performances have sparked widespread calls for his inclusion in the Indian national team, with many former cricketers and analysts believing he possesses the talent to succeed at the highest level.

Tendulkar hails youngster’s exceptional talent

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Tendulkar described Sooryavanshi as a special talent whose batting goes far beyond his ability to hit boundaries.

“Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat — it was magnificent. I mean he is something truly special,” Tendulkar said.

The former India captain highlighted the teenager’s wrist work and technical ability as key reasons behind his success.

“Not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has. To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work. He is not slogging the ball. He is just picking the line and length earlier than the rest of the guys and he is able to clear the rope comfortably,” he added.

Tendulkar’s observations reflect what many experts have noticed throughout the season — Sooryavanshi’s success is based not only on power but also on exceptional timing, technique and game awareness.

Calls grow for India selection

Following his sensational IPL campaign, discussions about Sooryavanshi’s future have intensified. Several cricket experts have suggested that the teenager may soon be ready for international cricket.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara recently stated that the youngster is “more than ready” for higher levels of competition, further strengthening the argument for his inclusion in India’s plans.

While Tendulkar acknowledged the excitement surrounding the youngster, he stressed that his development should be handled carefully.

The Master Blaster suggested that allowing Sooryavanshi to continue playing naturally would be the best approach rather than burdening him with expectations or excessive technical advice.

Freedom to play his natural game

Tendulkar believes Sooryavanshi’s greatest strength is his instinctive approach to batting and warned against interfering with the qualities that have made him successful.

“I would tell him to just be himself,” Tendulkar said.

“There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. It’s about having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems are always going to be there. Problems will be there till the last day of your career, till the last ball you face.”

The cricket icon explained that every delivery presents a new challenge and that successful batters learn to find solutions over time.

“The bowler is asking a question every ball. Now, what solutions do you find? He’s the kind of player who looks very confident, very sure of what he wants to do and I would not want to play around with his natural instincts,” Tendulkar said.

According to him, overloading young players with instructions can sometimes disrupt their natural decision-making process.

“The way he sees the ball and the way he responds to that, if that signal is interrupted — if you put a lot of hurdles in between that by telling him multiple things — that’s where the real challenge would be.”

Test cricket remains a future possibility

Although Tendulkar refrained from predicting when Sooryavanshi should make his Test debut, he admitted that cricket fans would be excited to see him in the traditional format at some stage.

“Not just me, but everyone would want to see him playing Test cricket at some stage. I don’t know when that is going to happen,” he said.

The former India batter urged fans and experts to support the teenager rather than placing unnecessary pressure on him regarding selection debates.

“An exciting talent needs encouragement. If he’s doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy it above all. Leave that to the guys who are responsible for selection,” Tendulkar added.

Bright future ahead

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 campaign has established him as one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world. His fearless batting, maturity and record-breaking performances have earned admiration from legends of the game and contemporary stars alike.

While the debate over his readiness for international cricket continues, Tendulkar’s message is clear: the teenager possesses extraordinary talent, but his growth should be nurtured carefully. If he continues on his current trajectory, a future in Test cricket may well be part of an already promising journey.