Dale Steyn Predicts 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Surpass Tendulkar and Kohli

Dale Steyn has predicted that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will surpass Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in achievements. Steyn highlighted Sooryavanshi's exceptional ball-striking and urged careful management of the young talent to prevent burnout. Sooryavanshi had an astonishing run in IPL 2026, scoring 776 runs to bag the Orange Cap and was subsequently included in the India T20 squad. Steyn advised bowlers to exploit Sooryavanshi's fear of short balls and emphasized the judicious use of variations in T20 cricket. He also praised Virat Kohli's mental approach and self-drive.

Sooryavanshi is described as a "boy wonder" with the potential to be bigger than Tendulkar and Kohli combined. However, Steyn warned of the risk of burnout if Sooryavanshi is not managed carefully. The article discusses the challenges faced by bowlers in T20 cricket and the need for strategic variation.

Steyn suggested that bowlers like Kagiso Rabada have successfully bowled to Sooryavanshi by testing him with short balls, inducing a fear factor. He emphasized the importance of knowing when to use variations effectively, citing Fazalhaq Farooqi as an example of a skilled bowler who must learn timing.