Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has showered praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a once-in-a-generation talent despite the youngster's modest start to international cricket.
Sooryavanshi made his India debut during the recently concluded T20I series against England after earning a maiden call-up on the back of his stellar performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 15-year-old featured in three matches, scoring 14, 13 and 15 in his three innings
before being left out of the series finale. India eventually suffered a 4-0 defeat.
Despite the underwhelming returns, the Indian team management has continued to back the left-handed batter, who is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Harbhajan highlighted the increased scrutiny young cricketers face in the age of social media before hailing Sooryavanshi as an extraordinary talent.
“The difference between today’s youth and the youth back then is the reach of today’s media and social media. Things happened back then too, but today they get highlighted a lot more. What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing today, no one has ever done before. He is unbelievable, a great talent. I don’t think I have seen or faced a talent like that," Harbhajan said on JioStar.
Harbhajan also pointed out that modern-day cricket has become more receptive to fearless batters, praising youngsters who back their instincts rather than adopting a conservative approach.
The former off-spinner cited an interaction between Rahul Dravid and Sooryavanshi before the youngster's IPL debut, recalling how the teenager's confidence was evident even before he faced his first delivery.
“I think the biggest change is that people are accepting players with that fearless mindset and their approach of playing the way they want to," he said.
“Rahul Dravid was the coach of that team, and he asked Sooryavanshi, ‘What will you do on the first ball?’ He said, ‘If the first ball is in my arc, I will smash it.’ And he actually did. He hit a six off the very first ball he faced in his IPL career, against Shardul Thakur," Harbhajan added.
The youngster will now look to justify the faith shown in him by the team management when India begin their T20I series against Zimbabwe.
