Speaking to reporters at National Rifles Association of India’s 75th year anniversary celebration in Delhi, Indian double Olympic medalist Manu Bhekar couldn’t stop herself from appreciating India’s young batting sensation 15-year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Manu Bhaker was vocal about the fact that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can very well emerge as the next star and big thing in Indian Cricket. She also said that age is just a number, and great things can happen at any time either at 6 or 60.
"With the right mentorship, Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) can be the next big star of Indian cricket." she said. “I would say that if mentorship is good, the company around is good and people around are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age in talent. Great things happen at 60 and can happen at 6 too. All depends on the mentorship and influence around” she added.
Journalist faces backlash for asking cricket related question to Bhaker
The journalist had to face the wrath of fans for asking a cricket related question to the double-Olympic medalist. The fact that cricket follows a huge fandom in India is not hidden, but time and again this has overshadowed achievers in other sectors as well. While Bhaker has brought India laurel at the greatest sporting pedestal, Sooryavanshi is just a prodigy. The fact that he has taken bowlers to storm with his power-hitting abilities in the Indian Premier League, should not overpower the fact that he is yet to don the Indian jersey and represent India at the international stage.
I deeply wish cricket to die in India because that's when other sports will gain respect and popularity. P:S: I myself is a fan of cricket but can't see other sports dying because of it.
— Unknown (@SamikDasgupta4) April 27, 2026
Netizens questioned the journalist and schooled him for putting forward a cricket-related question in front of an Olympic shooter, while the vice-versa is rarely done.
What else ? Joffrah archer bowls faster than the bullet she fires ?
— Tarak Nagaraj (@Tarak39563613) April 27, 2026
A cricket fan was vocal exclaiming that he really wishes cricket popularity to die down in India so that other sports and sports star gets deserving respect:
News channel management: TRP low ho rahi hai. Kya karein? Chief journalist: Celebrity culture push karte hain without any sense. Full on engagement aayega. Result: Successful. Next review: We have a silver bullet, let's milk the celebrity culture to the fullest.
— Platform Wali Chai (@platformkichai) April 27, 2026
Another netizen posted a sarcastic comment:
Another fan rightfully described the fact that asking such questions are directly proportional to engagement in posts of media that is why such journalists get key to ask such questions:
Here are a few more reactions-
India main aadmi chaand par jakar bhi aa jaye to yehi puchenge konsa cricketer aap saath le jaana chahenge
— Piyush Bhatee (@bhatee_piy25586) April 27, 2026
Vaibhav's reaction: pic.twitter.com/jtA8j6hkg8
— Chota Chapri 2.0 (@chota_chapri8) April 27, 2026
India and its obsession with cricket is just absurd. She herself is brilliant talent ask her what tournament she is upto. She being a brilliant talent herself since childhood. Two Olympic medals with almost army level trained shooters,there she won medals.
— romit (@romit8) April 27, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has currently scored 357 runs in just eight innings in IPL 2026 with a strike rate of over 234 with 2 centuries in his career.
