Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him an “unbelievable” talent and claiming the youngster has achieved something “unheard of” with his fearless approach to the game.Speaking to JioStar, Harbhajan said Sooryavanshi’s confidence and willingness to back his instincts represented the changing mindset of modern-day cricketers, who are now encouraged to express themselves without fear of failure.“What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing today, no one has done before. He is unbelievable, a great talent. I don’t think I have seen or faced a talent like that,” said Harbhajan.The former off-spinner also pointed out how the influence of social media has increased the visibility of young stars, making their exploits reach a wider audience than previous generations.“The difference between the youth of today and the youth of the past is the reach of the media and social media today. Those things also happened in the past, but now they are more emphasized,” he added.
Rahul Dravid Sooryavanshi’s question and Sooryavanshi’s unforgettable answer
Harbhajan also recalled a memorable anecdote involving former India head coach Rahul Dravid who perfectly captured Sooryavanshi’s fearless mindset before his IPL debut.According to Harbhajan, Dravid asked the youngster what he plans to do when he faces a maitable delivery on the very first ball of his IPL career.“I think the biggest change is that people accept players who have a fearless mindset and their way of playing the way they want to,” he said.He continued: “Rahul Dravid is the coach of that team (Rajasthan Royals), and he asked Sooryavanshi, ‘What will you do with the first ball?’ He said, ‘If the first ball is in my arc, I will smash it.’ And he really is. He hit a six on the very first ball he faced in his IPL career, against Shardul Thakur.The story, says Harbhajan, highlights the confidence that made the teenager one of the brightest batting talents in Indian cricket:.
Tendulkar’s advice that shaped Harbhajan’s career
Along with his praise for Sooryavanshi, Harbhajan also reflected on the most valuable lesson of his own career, revealing the advice he received from the batting icon. Sachin Tendulkar.“The best advice I got was from the great Sachin Tendulkar,” Harbhajan said.Recalling Tendulkar’s words, he said. “Sachin paaji told me, ‘There will be many distractions, many things will come your way, but you have to keep your blinders on, so you can’t look left or right, and just look straight ahead. And what lies ahead? Cricket! If you stay on this path, nothing in the world can stop you. Whatever you want to be, whatever you want to do, you will gain every kind of respect, honor, and fame, all, if you continue to walk this path.‘”Harbhajan said the same message is what he is now passing on to young cricketers who are starting their journey.“So, I give the same advice to young people: keep your attention on the game. You are who you are because of the game. Don’t think that you are bigger than the game. If your attitude is not right, as this game gives, it also knows how to recover it quickly,” he said.