Mumbai: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has showered praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster's record-shattering IPL 2026 campaign, describing him as a "truly special" talent while stressing the need to give him time and freedom to grow.

The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter emerged as one of the biggest stars of the season, scoring 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.31. He also smashed 72 sixes, breaking Chris Gayle's previous record of 59 maximums in a single IPL edition.

Speaking at the Cricinfo Honours in Mumbai, where he was recognised as the 'Best Men's International Batter of the 21st Century', Tendulkar said Sooryavanshi's batting ability had deeply impressed him.

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'Something truly special'

"Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat - it was magnificent," Tendulkar said, as per ESPNcricinfo. "I mean, he is something truly special. And not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has.

"To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work. And he is not slogging the ball. He is just picking the line and length earlier than the rest of the guys, and he is able to clear the rope comfortably," he added.

The batting great highlighted that Sooryavanshi's success is built on skill and timing rather than brute force, allowing him to dominate bowlers across different areas of the field.

'Just be himself'

While excitement around the teenager continues to grow, Tendulkar advised against putting unnecessary pressure on the youngster and said his natural instincts should be protected.

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"I would tell him to just be himself," he said. "There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. [It's about] having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems are always going to be there. Problems will be there till the last day of your career, till the last ball you face. The bowler is asking a question with every ball. Now, what solutions do you find? He's kind of a player who looks very confident, very, very sure of what he wants to do, and I would not want to play around with his natural instincts," Tendulkar said.

The former India captain further warned that excessive coaching or advice could disrupt the natural decision-making process that has made Sooryavanshi such an exciting prospect.

"The way he sees the ball and the way he responds to that, if that signal is interrupted - if you put a lot of hurdles in between that by telling him multiple things - that's where the real challenge would be. I would give him the freedom to go out and bat the way he does. Along with time, he will learn to deal with other challenges of the game," he said.

Future Test prospect, but no rush

Tendulkar also backed Sooryavanshi as a potential future Test cricketer but urged fans and experts to allow selectors to decide the right time for his progression through the ranks.

"Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. I don't know when that is going to happen. But an exciting talent needs encouragement. And if he's doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all and not put pressure on him constantly, you know, he should play this, or he shouldn't be doing this, or he should be picked in whatever squad. Leave that to the guys [selectors] who are responsible for that," the veteran concluded.

Sooryavanshi's stunning IPL campaign has made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the country, with many already viewing him as a future star for India across formats.