The 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi turned heads with his brilliant performance in IPL 2025. Australian cricket icon Steve Waugh is astonished by Vaibhav's impeccable timing. Waugh advises the emerging batsman to stay focused and grounded to avoid becoming a 'supernova.' Although not a frequent IPL viewer, Waugh recognizes Suryavanshi as a remarkable talent who needs to keep his feet on the ground.
Playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), Suryavanshi struck a century against Gujarat Titans (GT) in just 35 balls, marking the fastest century by any Indian batsman in the tournament. Waugh remarked during a Geo Star program, 'At the age of 14, there is no pressure on him. He plays with remarkable freedom, which is delightful to witness. However, maintaining control will be his real challenge ahead.'
Waugh believes that with an IPL contract exceeding a crore, Suryavanshi is likely to become a millionaire before turning 16, yet will face immense expectations. He questions, 'Can he continue to play with such enthusiasm and freedom? It's going to be a significant challenge.'
'He possesses the skills and mental fortitude necessary to succeed. We all wish for batsmen of his calibre to flourish. It's a fantastic narrative for cricket. Though I don't usually follow IPL matches, the emergence of such talent captures my interest,' Waugh commented.
In India, every budding batting star is inevitably compared to Sachin Tendulkar, but Waugh insists that Suryavanshi or anyone else should not be held against such an unparalleled talent that does not come along often.
The legendary 114 runs in Perth by an 18-year-old Sachin during the 1991-92 series still resonate. Waugh states, 'Comparing anyone to Sachin Tendulkar is misplaced. To score a century in Perth, one of the world's most demanding pitches where cricketers commonly struggle, is extraordinary.'
'It was astonishing to see him score a century in Perth at such a tender age. Finding another player like Sachin is incredibly rare. Yet, witnessing a 14-year-old achieve a century in the IPL was beyond my imagination,' he added.
