Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to reach extraordinary heights, provided the teenage sensation learns from the discipline and priorities of India's greatest cricketers.

Speaking on Prakhar Gupta's YouTube channel, Harbhajan identified Virat Kohli as an ideal role model for the Rajasthan Royals batter. He also urged the youngster to draw inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, and how they channelled their energy towards cricket rather than allowing distractions to affect their careers.

Harbhajan Singh's advice to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

"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," Harbhajan said.

The former off-spinner also made a striking comparison between Sooryavanshi and Tendulkar, pointing to the youngster's extraordinary hitting ability at such an early stage of his career.

"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," Harbhajan added.

Sooryavanshi's rapid rise and the next challenge

Sooryavanshi's performances have provided ample justification for the excitement surrounding him. He scored 175 off 80 balls in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final against England, helping India secure the title. He also enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, establishing himself as one of the tournament's most explosive young batters.

However, his transition into senior international cricket has brought a different challenge. Competition for opening positions remains intense, with established players also competing for opportunities in India's T20I side. The teenager is now part of India's preparations for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on October 22.

Story first published: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 19:31 [IST]

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