Robin Uthappa makes big Sachin Tendulkar prediction for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with bold warning

Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has made a huge prediction about the teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but he has also warned that the journey ahead will not be easy at all.

Uthappa feels Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to become one of the greatest white-ball cricketers for India. He even claimed that the left-handed batter can have a bigger impact in limited-overs cricket than batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, but it all depends on how he is being managed.

Robin Uthappa backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for greatness but issues big warning

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi recently created history by becoming the youngest player to play for India at the age of 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.

The young left-hander could not make a big impact in his debut series against England. But he bounced back in brilliant style in the next T20I series against Zimbabwe and silenced all his critics with the bat by winning the Player of the Series award.

During the series, the teenage batting sensation became the youngest male player to score a T20I fifty and also the youngest player to win the Player of the Series award in men’s international cricket. Amid this, Ajinkya Rahane lifts lid on Virat Kohli’s leadership and batting approach.

Vaibhav could have a bigger impact on white-ball than Tendulkar: Robin Uthappa

Following his impressive comeback, Robin Uthappa said that the biggest challenge for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be how to handle the challenges that come with success. He said Indian cricket has seen many young stars become famous very early, but not all of them could enjoy long careers.

The former Indian batter cited the example of Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw, who created huge expectations at a young age but later struggled in their careers.

Robin Uthappa said on the CommbBoxTv YouTube channel, “He could have a bigger impact on white-ball than Tendulkar. But how he’s managed is going to be important. 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.”

Robin Uthappa says outside distractions could affect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s career

Uthappa feels the next five years will be very important for Sooryavanshi. However, he praised the Bihar lad for not getting distracted by advertisements and other opportunities outside cricket.

The former Indian batter further explained, “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.

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.”

Robin Uthappa sends big warning to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Uthappa further said that every cricketer goes through difficult phases, so Vaibhav’s success will depend on how he handles those tough moments. He also hopes the young batter will get strong mentors and a strong support system to help him when things are tough for him.

He signed off by saying, “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.”