Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Manu Bhaker (Photos via PTI and Screengrab)
New Delhi: An interaction at the National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) 75th anniversary event in Delhi sparked an online controversy after Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker was asked about teenage cricket star Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The exchange, which was intended to be a sports reference between two young Indian sports names, shifted the focus away from the shooter’s achievements, sparking criticism on social media over the misplaced wording of the question.When asked about 15-year-old cricket star Suryavanshi, Bhasker answered thoughtfully, emphasizing guidance and environment over age.
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“I would say that if the guidance is good, the company around him is good, the people around him are good, then age is just a number,” she said.
There is no age for talent.”“Great things happen at 60, they happen at six. So if the people around him guide him well and guide him properly, I’m sure he will be the next big star,” the 24-year-old explained, highlighting the importance of support systems for young athletes moving into elite sporting discussions.However, the wording of the question sparked sharp reactions online, with many arguing that it sidelined Bhakker’s Olympic success.
Senior social media personality and former KKR team manager Joy Bhattacharjya wrote: “Guys, she’s an Olympic medalist. Asking her what she thinks of Vaibhav Suryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport. Cricket after all is the reigning passion of the country; your sports editors don’t need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Suryavanshi. Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav Suryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see how you get.
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Other social media users echoed similar sentiments, pointing out how athletes from non-cricket sports are often drawn into cricket-centric narratives, especially in headline-driven coverage cycles.
Meanwhile, Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to attract attention in cricket circles with his outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League. At 15 years of age, he has already become the youngest player to reach 1,000 T20 runs and has scored several notable knocks in the IPL season, including centuries and a high strike-rate innings. His India Under-19 record reflects prolific scoring, making him one of the most closely watched young batsmen in the system. Many have already expressed their opinion that they would like to see Sooryavanshi play for India’s senior national team soon.
