Anil Kumble has offered a balanced and thoughtful perspective on the meteoric rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging patience despite the growing hype. The 15-year-old has taken Indian Premier League 2026 by storm with his fearless batting for Rajasthan Royals, even managing to hit two sixes off one of the world’s best bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah. Performances like these have naturally led to calls for his immediate inclusion in the national team, with voices such as Irfan Pathan backing an early debut.
Kumble, however, has cautioned against fast-tracking the youngster purely based on early success. Drawing comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar, he acknowledged that while both displayed extraordinary talent at a young age, each player’s journey is different. Tendulkar’s early debut worked in his favor, but it also came with immense pressure—something Kumble believes selectors must carefully manage in Sooryavanshi’s case.
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He emphasized that rushing a teenager into international cricket can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when expectations skyrocket overnight. Instead, Kumble suggested a more measured approach that allows the player to develop mentally and technically while continuing to perform consistently at the domestic and franchise level.
Still, Kumble made it clear that Sooryavanshi is very much on the selectors’ radar and is likely to represent India “sooner rather than later.” The timing, he implied, should depend not on hype, but on readiness—ensuring the young star has the best chance to succeed at the highest level.
