Former India captain Rahul Dravid showered praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Kannada during a recent public appearance. Dravid highlighted Sooryavanshi’s remarkable rise and described him as a rare talent, urging people not to compare other young players with the teenager.
The former Team India head coach made the comments during the launch of the fifth edition of the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament in Karnataka on Thursday, June 11. The event marked the beginning of another season of one of the state’s premier domestic T20 competitions.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is a Unique Player – Rahul Dravid Urges Fans to Avoid Comparisons
Rahul Dravid urged coaches and fans not to compare every young cricketer with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The former India captain said that exceptional talents are rare and should be appreciated for their unique abilities.
“Everyone should not be compared with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is a unique player. Such players come very rarely. We should recognise and appreciate that,” Dravid said.
Sooryavanshi recently became the youngest player selected for India’s men’s team at the age of 15. He might break a 36-year-old record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut at 16 in 1989.
The left-handed batter earned his call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. He won the Orange Cap with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.31. The southpaw smashed 72 sixes, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous record.
Sooryavanshi is currently representing India A in the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka. He scored 14 runs against Sri Lanka A before making 44 off 22 balls against Afghanistan A in a rain-affected match.
We Have to Accept That- Rahul Dravid on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Dravid also backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to enjoy a successful international career if he continues his rapid development. The former India coach expressed hope that the youngster would carry his domestic form into international cricket and help India win matches in the future.
“He is a special talent and we have to accept that. Hopefully, he continues to perform, goes on to play for India and wins matches for the country,” he added.
India will begin their next assignment with a two-match T20I series against Ireland on June 26 and 28 in Belfast. The team will then travel to England for a five-match T20I series.
It’s a Great Opportunity for Young Boys to Showcase Their Talent – Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid also highlighted the importance of the Maharaja Trophy in Karnataka’s cricket structure. He said that the tournament gives young players a valuable platform to perform under pressure and prepare for higher levels of the game.
“I think it’s a very important tournament for Karnataka cricket because it gives young boys a great opportunity to showcase their talent. There is a lot of hype around the tournament and significant media coverage, which creates pressure and expectations. That is good for their development because they will face similar situations as they move to higher levels,” he said.
The Maharaja Trophy has become an important pathway for players aiming to reach the IPL. Several franchises closely monitor the tournament, and strong performances have helped players earn professional opportunities in recent years.
