Sanjay Manjrekar Questions Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Test Potential

The Meteoric Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has undeniably captured the imagination of the cricketing world. Since bursting onto the scene with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and showcasing his immense talent for the India Under-19 team, the 15-year-old has been hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket. His ability to clear the ropes and dominate bowling attacks has led many fans to clamor for his immediate inclusion in the senior international setup.

However, amidst the euphoria surrounding his T20 exploits, one voice of caution has emerged. Sanjay Manjrekar, the former Indian cricketer turned commentator—known for his uncompromising and often polarizing views—believes that while Sooryavanshi is a T20 natural, he lacks the technical refinement required for the grueling demands of Test match cricket.

Manjrekar’s Technical Critique

While speaking on Sportstar, Manjrekar did not shy away from acknowledging the teenager’s immense talent in the shortest format. He praised Sooryavanshi’s ability to take on elite bowling attacks, noting that his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, including a blistering century against Maharashtra, have been nothing short of extraordinary. Manjrekar stated, “If someone is lighting up this stage like this, then he’s ready [for T20s].”

The criticism, however, centers on the youngster’s batting technique. Manjrekar highlighted a specific habit: “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will stay leg side and hit a ball on middle stump through point because he’s staying leg side of the ball.” According to the veteran analyst, this approach is a recipe for failure in the swinging, seaming conditions of England, Australia, or South Africa. He emphasized that in Test cricket, success is predicated on getting close to the line of the ball, a discipline he feels the young star has yet to master.

Manjrekar offered a candid observation on the current state of the game: “If you want your kid to be famous and rich, T20 batting is for you. If you want him to get the respect of people like us, the critics, then get him to get close to the line of the ball.”

Proving the Doubters Wrong: The 50-Over Record

Despite Manjrekar’s reservations about his red-ball readiness, Sooryavanshi has already demonstrated his capabilities beyond the 20-over format. His prowess in List-A cricket is statistically significant, highlighted by a record-shattering 84-ball 190 against Arunachal Pradesh in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Furthermore, he was the architect of India’s 2026 ICC Men’s U19 World Cup victory in Zimbabwe, where he delivered a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls in the final against England.

The Shadow of Virat Kohli

The situation carries an ironic weight given the history between Sanjay Manjrekar and Indian batting icon Virat Kohli. In 2012, during Kohli’s maiden tour of Australia, Manjrekar famously questioned whether the future captain “belonged” at the Test level. History, of course, proved otherwise, as Kohli went on to become one of the greatest Test batters of his generation and India’s most successful red-ball skipper.

While Manjrekar eventually walked back his stance on Kohli, the incident serves as a reminder that early career critiques are often snapshots in time. Whether Sooryavanshi follows the trajectory of a specialist T20 powerhouse or evolves into a well-rounded Test batter remains to be seen. For now, the cricketing fraternity waits to see if the young prodigy can adapt his game to meet the highest standards of the sport.

Key Takeaways

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently one of the most exciting prospects in global cricket.
• Sanjay Manjrekar praises his T20 potential but questions his technical application for Test cricket.
• The critique focuses on the necessity of getting close to the line of the ball for overseas conditions.
• Sooryavanshi has already proven his mettle in 50-over cricket, including a stellar U19 World Cup campaign.