Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has advised teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to draw inspiration from the discipline and priorities of Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble as the youngster prepares for India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, beginning October 22, 2026.
Harbhajan urged Sooryavanshi to channel his energy entirely into cricket and avoid distractions, pointing to the single-minded focus that defined the careers of those four Indian greats.
“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, speaking on the Prakhar Gupta Xperience Podcast.
Sooryavanshi has been named in the 16-member Indian squad for the series, which is captained by Shreyas Iyer. The five matches are scheduled at Christchurch on October 22 and 24, Wellington on October 27, Auckland on October 30, and Hamilton on November 1, 2026.
Why is Sooryavanshi drawing so much attention at this stage of his career?
Sooryavanshi’s ascent through Indian cricket has been remarkably swift. In the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final against England, he struck 175 off 80 balls to help India claim the title, an innings that immediately elevated him to national conversation.
He made his T20I debut against England on July 4, 2026, becoming the youngest Indian to appear in international cricket and surpassing a record that had long been held by Tendulkar. When India toured Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series between July 23 and 26, 2026, Sooryavanshi finished as the overall top scorer with 151 runs as the hosts were swept 3-0. His 50 off 19 balls in the opening match made him the youngest player to register a half-century in men’s international cricket.
Beyond international cricket, his performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 underlined his standing as one of the most destructive young batters in the country. He also formed part of the Indian side that successfully defended the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, becoming the youngest Indian to win that honour at the continental showpiece. It is precisely this combination of record-breaking performances and rapid elevation that has made Harbhajan’s counsel about staying grounded all the more pertinent.
What is Sooryavanshi’s situation heading into the New Zealand tour?
Despite his growing reputation, Sooryavanshi was not included in the playing XI for any of the five T20I matches against West Indies, sitting out the entire series while remaining in the squad. His role in the New Zealand tour therefore continues to attract scrutiny, and Harbhajan’s message about maintaining the habits of India’s most celebrated batters carries added significance given that uncertainty. The former player also drew a direct comparison between the teenager’s hitting ability and Tendulkar at a similar age.
“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 said.
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