Harbhajan Singh names Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar as role models for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already etched his name into cricket history at an extraordinarily young age. Born on March 27, 2011, the teenager became the youngest male cricketer ever to play for India in July 2026, breaking the long-standing record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar. His rise through the ranks has been meteoric, marked by record-breaking performances that have drawn comparisons with India’s greatest batters.

Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian cricketer and spinner, has offered guidance to the young sensation on how to channel his exceptional talent into a sustained international career.

“The way Virat channelised his energy from a young age, Virat should be Sooryavanshi’s idol. He should look up to guys like Kohli, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Kumble. They all channelled their energy only into cricket and did not get distracted by other things. Understanding your priorities is important, and for Sooryavanshi to reach the level his talent warrants, he must be clear in his priorities,” Singh said while speaking on Prakhar Gupta’s YouTube channel.

Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking rise in cricket

Sooryavanshi’s credentials as a prodigious talent are well established. At age 13, he became the youngest player to secure an IPL deal when Rajasthan Royals purchased him. A year later, at 14, he became the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket, scoring 101 runs off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. These milestones underscore the exceptional hitting ability that has caught the attention of cricket observers worldwide.

Harbhajan Singh expressed his admiration for Sooryavanshi’s current form and potential trajectory. The former spinner highlighted the clarity and maturity evident in the teenager’s approach to the game, drawing parallels with the early career of Sachin Tendulkar. Harbhajan’s assessment focused on what sets Sooryavanshi apart from other young players entering the international arena.

“He’s unbelievable and is someone I am excited to watch through his career. If he doesn’t justify his talent, then he must have done something wrong. He has what Tendulkar had in his teens. It is still early, but I’ve not seen such hitting ability at such a young age. The clarity in his vision at this age is unbelievable,” Singh said.

Harbhajan’s message to Sooryavanshi centred on the distinction between raw talent and sustained excellence. The former India player stressed that exceptional ability alone does not guarantee a successful career, and that the teenager’s choices off the field will be as important as his performances on it.