Teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces 'God's gift' expectations

Cricket's next sensation, 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is on the cusp of making history as he prepares to potentially become the youngest player ever in India's senior men's team. This remarkable prospect is set to debut in the upcoming T20 international against Ireland, at just 15 years and 91 days old, if selected.

Sooryavanshi's recent performance in the Indian Premier League has already set the stage for his meteoric rise. In his first full IPL campaign, he not only led the league in runs scored but also hit a record number of sixes, earning him the Most Valuable Player award. Among his winnings was a car, a prize he cannot legally drive for another three years, highlighting his youth.

Described by cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar as "God's gift to Indian cricket," Sooryavanshi has drawn comparisons to Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies great Brian Lara due to his fierce and clean hitting, coupled with a high back-lift. His journey began in Tajpur, a small agricultural town in Bihar, where his father first introduced him to cricket at age four.

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Truly God's gift to Indian cricket.

By age 10, Sooryavanshi was already making significant sacrifices, undertaking early morning trips to a cricket academy located about 100km away. His prodigious talent was evident, particularly his powerful batting. He made his debut in elite senior cricket at 12 and, at 13, secured a lucrative $US1.1 million IPL deal with the Rajasthan Royals.

Despite the immense pressure and attention, Sooryavanshi appears unfazed. Former England captain Michael Vaughan recounted an anecdote where the young prodigy attributed his match preparation to "watching cartoons" and his diet to "everything," showcasing a seemingly carefree approach to the sport.

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How do you prepare for matches? ... watching cartoons. ... what do you eat? ... everything.