"The same thing can be done for this boy" - Kris Srikkanth's massive Sachin Tendulkar comparison for teenage sensation amid VHT 2025-26

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth made a massive Sachin Tendulkar comparison for teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi amid the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26. The domestic 50-over tournament began on Wednesday, December 24.

On the opening day, Vaibhav Suryavanshi slammed a blistering and massive hundred for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Plate Group. The 14-year-old smashed a record-breaking 190 off just 84 balls with 16 fours and 15 sixes at a strike rate of 226.19.

Kris Srikkanth believed that the young sensation should be fast-tracked into the Indian team. He recalled having said that Suryavanshi should play the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, he still believes that the batter must don the Indian colours soon.

"Vaibhav is scoring centuries everywhere, be it the IPL, U19, anywhere. You can say it is against Arunachal Pradesh but that is a different story. This boy has been hammering everybody across all kinds of matches. I had told last year also that they should fast-track him for the T20 World Cup. Maybe it is too late for that now, but they still fast-track him into the team. This boy has got tremendous potential. He should be fast-tracked and brought into the Indian team soon," he said on his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Cheeka'.

Kris Srikkanth also drew a comparison to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut at the age of just 16. He stated that Vaibhav Suryavanshi could similarly get into the Indian team in white-ball cricket.

"People say let him play for some more time, let him do this, let him do that. Sachin also played a such a young age. Of course, he played for India after scoring hundreds at all levels, but the same thing can be done for this boy in white-ball cricket."

Suryavanshi displayed tremendous form in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scoring 197 runs from six matches at an average of 39.40 and a strike rate of 168.37. In the U-19 Asia Cup 2025, he made 261 runs from five matches at an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 182.51 with a century and a half-century.

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Kris Srikkanth urges Indian team not to let go of Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Kris Srikkanth also urged the Indian team not to let go of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and fast-track him while his form is brilliant. He added that the batter should not be left behind and should at least be included in the reserves.

"Look at Suryavanshi's records. He is at a completely different level. He should not be left behind. He has to be fast-tracked soon. I heard some news that Rahul Dravid said that he should be fast-tracked now. I told this during the last IPL itself. At least have him in the reserves and give him a chance where possible. I don't want them to let go of this guy. In all fairness, he is an outstanding talent," he said.

The 14-year-old has scored 322 runs in seven List A games at an average of 46 and a strike rate of 157.84 with a hundred and a half-century. In 18 T20s so far, he has smashed 701 runs at an average of 41.23 and a strike rate of 204.37 with three centuries.

Kris Srikkanth also reflected that having another left-hander at the top could benefit India. He reckoned that Abhishek Sharma and Suryavanshi could form a destructive opening pair.

"Just imagine Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi opening. What a devastating pair it can be. Think about it. Or Ishan Kishan and Suryavanshi, or Ishan and Abhishek. These left-handers are more devastating and take the match away from you literally in the first six overs. That's how the team is. I feel the right-handers are like second fiddle," Kris Srikkanth stated.

Notably, Ishan Kishan also scored a terrific 33-ball ton in Jharkhand's first VHT 2025-26 match against Karnataka. The left-hander struck 125 runs off just 39 balls with seven boundaries and 14 sixes.

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Edited by Rishab Vm