Kiran More sees young 'Sachin Tendulkar' in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, makes huge prediction on RR's teen sensation

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was recently named in the India A squad for their tri-series in Sri Lanka.

Published on: May 22, 2026, 07:09:37 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Former India cricketer Kiran More is impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's impact and compared the 15-year-old to a young Sachin Tendulkar. He is currently third in the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race and is the main reason why Rajasthan Royals are so close to clinching a playoff spot. In 13 innings, he has smacked 579 runs at an average of 44.54, and also striking at 236.32.

Kiran More compared Sachin Tendulkar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Sooryavanshi has become the IPL's main marquee player this season and has been taking on senior world-class bowlers with ease, slamming them for sixes and fours.

Also Read: Ricky Ponting refuses to rule out Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma for 2027 World Cup: ‘Never say never’

Speaking on ANI, More said, "When I first saw Sachin Tendulkar, who came in the Indian team for the first time and batted against a great bowler, I knew right away that he was something special. The same is with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; he is special. It is a good thing that we have such a player. He is going to bring great glory to the country. Let him play the way he does. He has been made and well prepared by god for this sport."

Sooryavanshi was recently named in the India A squad for their tri-series in Sri Lanka. Speaking during a press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar praised Sooryavanshi, but also hinted that Yashasvi Jaiswal is higher in the pecking order.

This season, Sooryavanshi has already managed a ton and three fifties. He has slammed 53 sixes this season, most by an Indian in a single IPL edition. He has been totally dominant in the T20 format, getting 1280 runs in 31 matches at an average of 42.66 and a 217.68 strike rate, along with four centuries and four fifties.

In List-A cricket, Sooryavanshi has 333 runs in eight innings at an average of 44.12 and a 164.95 strike rate. He has also bagged a ton and a half-century.

He was impressive in the U19 World Cup this year, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49, including a ton and three half-centuries. He also hit a record-breaking 30 sixes in the tournament, overtaking Dewald Brevis' 18 sixes in the 2022 edition. He has also become India's leading run scorer in U19 ODIs with 1412 runs in 25 innings at an average of 56.48 and a 165 strike rate. He also has four tons and seven fifties in the format.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.