Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn predicted that teenage India sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would surpass batting icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Speaking during the South Africa 20 (SA20) media interaction, Steyn made a bold prediction, saying that Sooryavanshi could eclipse the achievements of both Tendulkar and Kohli by the end of his career.
“You think of guys like Sachin, Virat, and this kid is going to explode. He’s going to be bigger than both of them put together at the end of his career,” Steyn said.
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He praised the 15-year-old batter, describing the left-hander as a generational talent for India.
“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a different gravy. He’s better than most international players right now. He’s a genuine boy wonder and a treasure for Indian cricket,” he added.
However, Steyn cautioned that the youngster would need to be managed carefully to ensure his long-term development.
“So I’d be very careful about how he’s managed and looked after. With great responsibility comes great reward, but there’s also a risk that you could lose him along the way if he isn’t handled properly,” he said.
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The 42-year-old also admitted that South Africa currently has no teenage prospect capable of matching Sooryavanshi’s talent.
“As for South Africa, no, we don’t have a 14- or 15-year-old who can rival him right now. But we do have some exceptional talent, including a lot of players in their twenties who will push through and represent South Africa in the years ahead,” he concluded.
For those unaware, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rose to prominence during IPL 2025, where he smashed the second-fastest IPL century. His batting at higher strike rates got praise from global cricketing icons.
Earlier this year, he also helped India lift the U19 World Cup, smashing his way to 175 off just 80 balls against England in the final.
He carried his batting brilliance in the IPL 2026, finishing the tournament with 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 for the Rajasthan Royals.
Apart from securing the Orange Cap, he also collected the Best Emerging Player award, becoming the first cricketer in IPL history to win both the MVP and Emerging Player honors in the same season.
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