Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made the cricket world take notice through his exploits in IPL 2026. After winning the Orange Cap and becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history to do so, Sooryavanshi forced the Indian selection panel to include him in the squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England. At just 15 years of age, Sooryavanshi has already become a global sensation despite not having played international cricket yet. It was therefore no surprise that Sri Lanka’s first ODI captain, Anura Tennekoon, waited nearly an hour to meet the batting prodigy in Dambulla on Monday. While the India A team was still in their dressing room following the acrimonious end to their Tri-Nation Series clash against Sri Lanka A, Tennekoon patiently waited to speak with Sooryavanshi. The 79-year-old, an admirer of the rising star, described him as a “generational talent”. Sooryavanshi greeted Tennekoon by touching his feet and listened attentively as the former international captain shared a few words of wisdom. “You focus on your game and cut out the outside noise,” Tennekoon told Sooryavanshi. “Today, unfortunately, you couldn’t get going. But that’s part of the game, you can’t get going every day.”
Former great of Sri Lanka and one of the finest batters of the country and the captain of the 1st ever World cup in 1975, Anura Tennekoon met a potential future great Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the Triangular A team series in Dambulla. pic.twitter.com/xYOWMcO6AM — Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) June 16, 2026
The message carries added significance in light of Sooryavanshi’s physical altercation with a Sri Lankan fielder after allegedly being sledged while walking off the field. The match was decided via a Super Over after both teams finished level. India A lost the one-over eliminator, and as a dejected Sooryavanshi headed back to the dressing room, he turned around and shoved Vishen Halambage before the two were separated. Tennekoon also said he has been impressed by Sooryavanshi’s ability to clear the boundary with ease. “I was really impressed by his batting in the IPL. And hitting those sixes and fours the way he does is something unbelievable. I hope he continues in this way,” Tennekoon said.
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