Uthappa says 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can eclipse Sachin Tendulkar in white-ball cricket

Former India batter Robin Uthappa told CommBoxTV on August 6, 2026 that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could have a larger impact on white-ball cricket than Sachin Tendulkar, while warning that the youngster's career will ultimately depend on how he is managed over the next few years.

Sooryavanshi has rapidly emerged as one of India's brightest batting prospects after impressing in domestic cricket and making a dream start to his international career; his fearless stroke play, composure and ability to dominate bowling attacks at just 15 have made him widely talked about.

Uthappa urged caution alongside praise, citing earlier cases of prodigious talent that did not sustain early promise. "We've seen in Indian cricket exciting players come through the ranks. We saw Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw and started asking what they would become when they were 17-18 years old. And then suddenly they fall off the wagon," Uthappa said.

On the personal qualities he believes must be preserved, Uthappa placed emphasis on maintaining the player's current mindset. "So that will be Vaibhav's first test. Can he stay pristine for the game over a period of five years? He's 15 now, so can he stay pristine till he's 20? There's so much innocence to who he is that you want that to be protected," Uthappa said.

Uthappa also welcomed Sooryavanshi's refusal of commercial distractions at this stage of his career and flagged potential off-field pressures. "I love the fact that he's saying no to every advertisement and he's focusing only on cricket. Because when he's 18, he'll start being perceived as a man and the female attention will come. That can be a distraction as well."

Acknowledging the inevitability of setbacks, Uthappa underlined the importance of a protective support network. "There will be trials and tribulations in his career, and how he overcomes those will be key. I only hope he has the right support system and mentors to protect him from the world and allow him to live in a bubble until he is ready to explore the outside world." "His career is not going to be pristine as much as we want it to be. There are going to be ups and downs as part of the journey," he added.

Despite comparing Sooryavanshi with one of the game's greats, Uthappa framed his remarks as a warning about management rather than a prediction of guaranteed success; the former India batter said the youngster can reshape white-ball cricket only if he is shielded from distractions and given time and guidance to fulfil his potential.