Manu Bhaker-Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Controversy (Source: AFP)
At just 15 years old, Bihar-born batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the IPL by storm, breaking records as the youngest centurion and becoming a prominent opener for Rajasthan Royals.
Playing his second IPL season, Sooryavanshi has become one of the most talked-about teenagers worldwide for his explosive yet effortless batting. He has accumulated over 500 IPL runs, balancing this newfound fame with a child-like demeanour, which includes watching cartoons before matches.
However, since Tuesday morning, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been all over the internet, but for a different reason, after India’s Olympic medalist, Manu Bhaker, was asked about him.
What did Manu Bhaker comment when asked about the teenage sensation?
An interaction at the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) 75th anniversary event in Delhi has sparked debate online after Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, a celebrated Indian sport shooter, was asked about the teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
When asked about the 15-year-old cricket sensation Sooryavanshi, Bhaker, however, responded thoughtfully, stressing guidance and environment over age.
As quoted by TOI, she said, “I would say that if the mentorship is good the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent”.
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“Great things happen at 60, they happen at six. So if the people around him mentor him well and guide him properly, them I am sure he will be the next big star”, the 24-year-old explained, highlighting the importance of support systems for young athletes transitioning into elite sport discussions.
The exchange, intended as a cross-sport reference between two young Indian sporting names, quickly shifted focus from the shooter’s own achievements, triggering criticism on social media.
Here are some comments:
“Unfair on her achievement”: Internet rages over Manu Bhaker-Vaibhav Sooryavanshi row
After the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi-Manu Bhaker row, many people on the internet emphasised that India's aspirations to become a sporting nation can never become true if the nation never looks beyond cricket.
A huge social media stir erupted after the double Olympic medallist was questioned about teenage cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during a media interaction. The irony here is observable.
At the age of 16, Manu Bhaker was already a senior World Cup gold medallist and a global sensation. Thus, fans are now asking, did anyone think to ask Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma for their thoughts on her rise? The answer is no, and we know it is, so is it fair for the reverse to be considered acceptable practice?
Former KKR director comes in support of Bhaker’s achievements
On top of that, a prominent voice in the cricketing fraternity, Joy Bhattachariya, found it disrespectful and "unfair" to ask an Olympic medallist about a teenage cricketer who has not yet made his national debut.
The former KKR team director, Bhattachariya, wrote: “She is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair on her achievements and her sports.”
Many fans noted that it’s frustrating for an athlete who has worked so hard for her medals to find the conversation shifting elsewhere, once again showing how cricket’s massive popularity often buries achievements in other sports.
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