Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could end up being bigger than Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. However, he urged Indian cricket to handle the prodigy youngster with care.
Steyn said Sooryavanshi is a different gravy altogether, and he is already better than many international players.
Recently, Sooryavanshi ended the IPL 2026 season with 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 237.30. He ended as the leading run-getter in the tournament and thus bagged the Orange Cap. Along with it, he was awarded the MVP of the tournament, Super Striker of the Season, Emerging Player of the season, and also bagged the award for the most sixes (72) in the season.
Ego, he received his maiden T20I call-up for the UK tour, where India will play two T20Is against Ireland and five T20Is against England.
Steyn said there is no shortage of talent in South African cricket as the young players are rising through the ranks, but Sooryavanshi is class apart.
“I don’t think there’s a wonderkid who’s 14 or 15 in South Africa right now. And if there is, I’m not aware of him. I don’t have my finger on the pulse as closely as some of the local scouts do,” Steyn said during an interaction facilitated by SA20 in the lead-up to Season 5.
“But one thing I will say is that there is no shortage of talent in South Africa. We have incredible talent coming through the system. There are outstanding Under-19 and Under-15 players progressing through the school circuit.
“That said, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a different gravy. He’s better than most international players right now. He’s a genuine boy wonder and a treasure for Indian cricket.”
AB said Sooryavanshi has the skills to surpass Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
“You think of players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, and this kid is going to explode. He could end up being bigger than both of them put together by the end of his career.”
However, the former RCB star reckons India could lose Sooryavanshi if he is not handled properly by the BCCI.
“So I’d be very careful about how he’s managed and looked after. With great responsibility comes great reward, but there’s also a risk that you could lose him along the way if he isn’t handled properly. As for South Africa, no, we don’t have a 14- or 15-year-old who can rival him right now. But we do have some exceptional talent, including a lot of players in their twenties who will push through and represent South Africa in the years ahead.”
Sooryavanshi scored an impressive knock of 44 runs off just 22 balls to give a quick start to his team against Afghanistan A on Thursday.
