NEW DELHI NEW DELHI England wicketkeeper-battler Jos Buttler has sparked the world of cricket this week after a stunning praise for India’s teen batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi speaking of him as “the greatest player I’ve witnessed.” Buttler’s remarks were made during his recent broadcast during the Love for Cricket podcast, followed Sooryavanshi’s stunning display in the closing match of the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup In the tournament, the talented Indian player broke records and guided the team in winning.
Sooryavanshi’s dazzling performance in the finalwith an unbeaten 175 off just a mere 80 ball to England -was widely hailed by the media as being among the greatest young players in recent times. The score included 15 sixes and 15 fours which helped India achieve a dazzling 411/9 total to get the 100-run victory which boosted India’s total to a record-setting six U-19 World Cup title.
In his remarks about that performance Buttler was not shy about his words. He said that Sooryavanshi’s achievements at a very young age distinguished him from other young talents He has seen during his long career in international football. “My claim is that he’s probably the greatest player I’ve seen because I’m thinking you, who else did this when they were 14? If he’s doing this at 14 what will he be doing at 18or twenty?” Buttler said, noting the teen’s extraordinary ability to control in high-pressure situations.
Buttler’s raucous praise was received with some astonishment from his fellow England speedster Mark Wood during the same conversation. Wood said that the claim was “pretty large.” However, Buttler stood by his assertion, pointing out Sooryavanshi’s accomplishments not just in cricket for youth but as well in senior domestic tournaments, such as cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL). “He’s had a go… and he’s already got one hundred points during the IPL. He scored his first wicket at the IPL for six points,” Buttler added, pointing to Sooryavanshi’s early successes against professional bowlers of a certain age.
The rising fame of Sooryavanshi has been a constant motif in cricket circles. Before his United 19 World Cup final, the teenager was making headlines thanks to impressive performances at major tournaments. In April at the age of 14 as old and just 32 days Sooryavanshi was the youngest centurion in IPL history with a record-breaking 101 runs off just 38 balls, the second-fastest century ever recorded by the league and the fastest ever by any Indian batter.
He scored an IPL century came as a demonstration of his potential to win against experienced international players and rapidly became among the most significant moments in his career’s early years. Beyond the IPL record, his records for youth are equally impressive. He is one of the most fast centuries played in the world of cricket for under-19s and has also made notable performances in games against tough opponents.
In the U-19 2026 World Cup, Sooryavanshi’s aggregate was also impressive. He completed this tournament with the score of 439 and was awarded both award for Player of the Match as well as player of the match final awards. His continued performance throughout the tournament has provoked a broad review from analysts, fans and former players on the rate at which he progressed towards senior international cricket.
The success of Sooryavanshi has provoked discussion about whether India should look at accelerating his entry into international cricket at a senior level. Demands for an earlier India call-up are gaining traction and some commentators have drawn similarities to the early careers of famous players. A recent report described the buzz surrounding his name to the hype surrounding Sachin Tendulkar during his teenage years -which is an assertion that speaks to the awe-inspiring expectations put on Sooryavanshi.
Indeed, even former Indian commentary and cricketers have been paying attention. Similar to the mixed reaction to the comments of Buttler, a lot of experts have praised Sooryavanshi’s achievements, while noting that he has a lot of development milestones to go before he is prepared for the demands of international cricket at the highest level. There is no doubt over his remarkable ability or the enthusiasm his performance has generated.
The statement of Buttler echoes a belief that is shared by a lot of people in the cricket community – that Sooryavanshi is a future-focused talent who has the potential to change the future of cricket. The England player’s praise, which is unique in both its scope and intensity highlights the rarity of an athlete of this age to be able to garner such respect from an experienced international veteran.
Jos Buttler is a single of the most admired white-ball cricketers from his generation and has played for more than 10 years at the top standard. He has scored many thousands of runs across various formats for England as well as in franchise leagues, such as the IPL and the IPL, which makes his view especially important when assessing young players.
Buttler’s evaluation has also brought attention back to the role of development for youth in today’s game. The public and the players alike insist that the feats of Sooryavanshi at the age of 14 aren’t just a matter of statistical coincidences but a sign of a changing scene where players of younger age are more and more ready to compete at the highest levels when they are properly nurtured and have the right opportunities.
While discussions continue in forums for cricket as well as social media and expert panels, there is one thing that is unambiguous: Vaibhav’s rise has sparked an entirely new chapter in the youth cricket’s story. If he can live up to the high standards that were set by the likes of Buttler and others remains to be judged however, his remarkable adventure has already caught the attention of the world of cricket.