Dale Steyn says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could surpass Kohli, Tendulkar's legacy

Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has made a bold claim that India’s rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could ultimately surpass the achievements of modern greats Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.

Steyn, who faced both Indian legends during his international career, suggested the teenage prodigy could “explode” on the global stage and potentially finish with a greater overall impact than the two icons combined.

Sooryavanshi has been one of the standout performers in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, delivering a series of eye-catching performances that earned him the Orange Cap along with multiple individual honours.

His rapid rise has since led to a maiden call-up to the India squad for upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England, as well as selection in the Asian Games squad.

Speaking during an interaction ahead of Season 5 of SA20, Steyn praised the teenager’s exceptional talent and maturity, noting that he already appears to stand out at international level.

“You think of guys like Sachin, Virat, and this kid is going to explode. He's going to be bigger than both of them put together at the end of his career,” Steyn said during the SA20 media interaction ahead of Season 5.

Now working as an analyst, Steyn also reflected on youth development in South Africa, stating that while the country continues to produce talented cricketers, few match Sooryavanshi’s current level of impact.

“I don't think there's a wonderkid who's 14 or 15 in South Africa right now. And if there is, I'm not aware of him. I don't have my finger on the pulse as closely as some of the local scouts do. But one thing I will say is that there is no shortage of talent in South Africa. We have incredible talent coming through the system. There are outstanding Under-19 and Under-15 players progressing through the school circuit,” Steyn said.

“That said, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a different gravy. He's better than most international players right now. He's a genuine boy wonder and a treasure for Indian cricket,” he added.

However, Steyn urged caution over the youngster’s rapid rise, warning that poor management could affect his long-term development.

“So I'd be very careful about how he's managed and looked after. With great responsibility comes great reward, but there's also a risk that you could lose him along the way if he isn't handled properly,” he said.

“As for South Africa, no, we don't have a 14- or 15-year-old who can rival him right now. But we do have some exceptional talent, including a lot of players in their twenties who will push through and represent South Africa in the years ahead,” he added.

Sooryavanshi first gained widespread attention during last year’s IPL when he struck a 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest player to be picked for an India men’s cricket team since Sachin Tendulkar in the late 1980s.

To date, he has featured in 34 T20 matches, scoring 1,477 runs at an average of 44.75 and a strike rate of 220.44, including four centuries and six fifties.

In the latest IPL season, he finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 776 runs from 16 innings at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30, registering one century and five half-centuries to further strengthen his case for national selection.