Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as Indian cricket's most talked-about teenage prospect. At just 15 years and 99 days, the young batter became India's youngest international cricketer, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 16 years and 205 days at Test debut. His appointment as vice-captain of East Zone for the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy has now drawn candid reflection from Tendulkar himself on the pace of the teenager's rise through the domestic ranks.

During a recent Reddit Q&A session, Tendulkar was asked to share his thoughts on Sooryavanshi being handed captaincy responsibilities at such a young age. The former India captain responded with measured counsel, emphasising the importance of gradual progression rather than rapid advancement through leadership roles.

"I feel it's too early for him to become a vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. We have to let him play more matches with the red ball and take one step at a time!," Tendulkar wrote on Reddit.

Why does Tendulkar believe Sooryavanshi needs more red-ball cricket?

Sooryavanshi's multi-format credentials underscore his exceptional talent. In the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he struck a 36-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest player to score a List A hundred at 14 years and 272 days. His performances in the Indian Premier League have also established him as a top scorer in the competition, cementing his status as a prospect across all formats.

India's recent T20I World Cup triumph, which the team defended earlier in 2026, demonstrated the value of experience and consistency at international level. Top-order batters Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma played key roles in that success, showcasing how sustained performance over time builds the foundation for major tournament victories. Tendulkar's counsel appears rooted in ensuring that promising young talent receives adequate red-ball exposure before stepping into leadership positions, a philosophy that prioritises long-term development over immediate advancement.

Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, has previously articulated a similar philosophy on backing consistent performers.

"Guys who have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time obviously deserve a longer rope," Gambhir stated.

His approach aligns with Tendulkar's view that young players benefit from extended exposure and gradual progression through the system rather than rapid elevation to leadership roles.