Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary hitting ability has already drawn comparisons with some of India’s greatest batters, but Harbhajan Singh believes the teenager needs more than talent to fulfil his potential. The former India spinner wants Sooryavanshi to take inspiration from Virat Kohli and learn how to channel his energy into cricket.
Speaking on Prakhar Gupta’s YouTube channel, Harbhajan praised the 15-year-old’s natural ability but stressed the importance of discipline and clear priorities. He believes Kohli’s approach from a young age offers Sooryavanshi a blueprint to follow as he navigates the early stages of his 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,” Harbhajan said.
The former spinner also drew a comparison between Sooryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar, pointing to the youngster’s remarkable hitting ability at such an early age. However, his admiration came with a reminder that potential alone cannot guarantee success.
“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.
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI’S STOP-START INDIA JOURNEY
Sooryavanshi’s domestic and franchise performances have made a compelling case for his inclusion, but breaking into India’s established T20I top order has proved more complicated. He made his senior international debut against England in July 2026 and scored 42 runs across three matches.
He then made a stronger statement on the Zimbabwe tour, finishing with 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10. Yet, despite that form, he did not play in India’s three T20Is against Afghanistan, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson preferred at the top.
India coach Gautam Gambhir explained that the decision was about backing established performers rather than questioning Sooryavanshi’s ability. He said the teenager would have to wait for his opportunity, adding that players who had performed consistently over a longer period would remain ahead in the selection pecking order. The same wait continued during the five-match West Indies T20I series, in which Sooryavanshi did not feature.
WHY KOHLI’S JOURNEY COULD BE A BLUEPRINT
Sooryavanshi’s numbers underline why the excitement is understandable. At the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, he scored 439 runs in seven matches, including a stunning 175 off 80 balls in the final against England. His challenge now is to translate that impact into senior international cricket, where competition for places is considerably tougher.
Kohli’s career offers Sooryavanshi an example of how immense ability can be matched with sustained discipline and consistency. Harbhajan also named Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble as players the teenager could learn from, highlighting their focus on cricket and their ability to keep distractions at bay.
For now, Sooryavanshi is still at the beginning of his journey. Harbhajan’s message is not to rush him into becoming the finished product, but to ensure that his extraordinary talent is supported by the habits and priorities needed to succeed over the long term.
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