Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exploits with the bat for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have not just made him a household name in India. Rather, with every passing day, he is quite literally turned into cricket's newest obsession, which is now slowly translating into appointment viewing in another country. Former India left-arm spinner Maninder Singh revealed an astonishing anecdote while speaking exclusively to Sports Now about Sooryavanshi. The one that says more about the teenager’s growing aura than any strike-rate statistic ever could. Maninder had recently travelled to England for a wedding. There, amid casual conversations and social gatherings, strangers walked up to his table wanting to discuss India's new batting sensation.

"This is not only Indian people talking about Sooryavanshi. I was in England about a couple of months ago, and there were a lot of people. I was attending a wedding, and there were so many people who came and sat at my table, and they were talking about him. And they said that, you know, whenever we know that he's going to play in some game, we just take a day off or something and watch him. These are the locals… Not only India," he revealed.

That detail matters. Because cricket’s global audience does not easily pause life for teenage prospects. Admiration is common. Curiosity exists. But rearranging schedules for a 15-year-old batter still figuring out professional cricket? That is rare territory that was previously conquered only by Sachin Tendulkar.

Talking about Sooryanshi's recent success and the danger that lies ahead when someone experiences a favourable outcome at such an early age, the former left-arm spinner said, "See, there is always a danger when you are coming in at such a young age. But the thing is, we have had cricketers who have come at a young age. They have handled themselves pretty well. Sachin Tendulkar is a big example. And this kid looks pretty mature. He knows what he is doing. Because normally, there was a time when I used to think that spinners and batters should have a couple of seasons. Play for India A and all. So that they know the ups and downs, and they know how to handle it when things are not going well for you."

"But this boy (Sooryavanshi) looks pretty mature, and I feel that he will be able to handle it. But I am sure that the senior boys around him will also be helping him. And the coaching staff these days will also be helping him if anything goes wrong," he reckoned.

"I feel he is a special talent. He is a super talent. And handling things very well at the moment. Because of IPL, there is a lot of pressure. There are millions of people watching. Batting against the best bowlers in the world and hitting them for sixes at will is amazing to see," said Maninder, who made his Test debut for India at the age of 17.

But then Tendulkar was navigating a different cricketing eco-system, where there was less media attention, no social media hype, and the game was yet to see so much money and fame combined together - challenges that would be alien to any of the cricketers of that generation. Maninder disagrees.

"It was there at that time also when Sachin Tendulkar started playing. But yeah, it is a little heavier than that now. But then, this kid has shown maturity. That is what I said: playing in IPL and scoring runs at will is not easy. There is a lot of pressure. Because when you play in the IPL, the teams expect you to do well. The cricket lovers are expecting you to do well. And then he himself has expectations of himself. He seems to be mentally strong and ready. He is a superb timer of the ball," he explained.

"When the Rajasthan Royals are playing, I put on the television to watch it. I know that pressure. But so far, what I have seen, he has done well under pressure," he added.

Maninder, having made his debut at the age of 17, admitted in one of his earlier interviews that perhaps it was a tad too early for him to play for the country. He went on to play only 35 Test matches for India, though many former India cricketers back then believed he had the potential to play many more, and did not quite fulfil his potential at the international level.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now