EX-CSK spinner warns Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir to handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi carefully

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is having a brilliant TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. He has been the leading run scorer for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and fifth in the overall list of orange cap with 254 runs in 7 innings. He has been one of the best finds of Indian cricket. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been impressive with his fearless approach.

However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is still 15 years old and has a lot of time left; he needs to focus on his cricketing ability. The Southpaw will soon make a debut for the India National Cricket Team, if he continues to impress in the IPL. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the Player of the Tournament in the U-19 World Cup for his exceptional performance.

Harbhajan Singh warns India about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Ahead of RR’s next match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has warned the Men in Blue management to take a measured approach with the teenage batter. The legendary spinner gave importance to watchfully nurturing him if he wants to develop into a Test player.

Bhajji pointed out that the young players will have a rough patch in their lives, and they need to adapt as per the conditions and the format of the game.

It is about the mindset- Harbhajan Singh

"They will eventually learn, even through the ups and downs. But if a 15-year-old boy can hit the ball, he can also block. It is about the mindset; if you give him the opportunity he will adapt to that," Harbhajan said during a Legends Club event to celebrate Sachin Tendulkar's 53rd birthday.

The former CSK spinner warned the management against youngsters to tough overseas conditions too soon, especially in places like England, where swing can pose a tough time. "But if you send him to England for a first tour where the ball will swing, it will not be a matter of intelligence. If we want him to play Test cricket, we will have to nurture him," Harbhajan added.

I would make a strong recommendation that Test cricket- Harbhajan Singh

The EX-CSK spinner also focused on the game's overall structure in India, emphasising the need to prioritise Test cricket and make sporting wickets that allow matches to run the full five days. He claimed that balanced surfaces would not only put batter to the test.

"I would make a strong recommendation that Test cricket should be the priority, because that is where you get the best cricket and the cricketers. In Test cricket, you get to see the best competition as it lasts for five days and every day, the challenge becomes different," he said.

"Obviously, a lot of things happen on the pitch, and accordingly, people need to change their mindset and adapt to those conditions and come out as a winner."

Will have to make a place for themselves- Bhajji on the temperament of playing Test Cricket

He also stated that young batters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre will need to develop the temperament required for red-ball cricket, citing Yashasvi Jaiswal as an example among the present generation.

"They (upcoming batters) will have to make a place for themselves and of course create enough buzz that they are good enough to be in the squad for Test cricket," he added.

Also Read: "A masterclass": Fans go beserk as Sai Sudharsan scores stunning century vs RCB in IPL 2026