Olympic Medalist Manu Bhaker Fields Question on IPL Prospect Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sparking Debate on Media Priorities

An interaction at the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) 75th-anniversary event in New Delhi has ignited a broader discussion about sports media coverage. Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker was asked for her thoughts on 13-year-old cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, prompting immediate online criticism regarding the media’s heavy focus on the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the expense of other athletic achievements.

Bhaker Focuses on Mentorship

Despite the unexpected shift from her shooting milestones to youth cricket, the Olympian provided a measured response focusing on athletic development. Bhaker emphasized that proper guidance and a healthy support system are far more important than an athlete’s chronological age.

“I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number. There is no age for talent,” Bhaker stated. “Great things happen at 60, they happen at six. So if the people around him mentor him well and guide him properly, then I am sure he will be the next big star.”

Backlash Against Cricket-Centric Coverage

The framing of the question drew sharp condemnation from sports analysts and fans who felt it disrespected Bhaker’s historic dual-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Former Kolkata Knight Riders team director Joy Bhattacharjya voiced his frustration on social media.

“Folks, she is an Olympic medalist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Suryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport,” Bhattacharjya noted. “Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country; your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Suryavanshi. Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav Suryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see the looks you get.”

The incident highlights a persistent trend in sports journalism where athletes from Olympic disciplines are frequently prompted to comment on cricket to generate online engagement.

Fact-Checking Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Rise

While the questioning at the NRAI event caused a stir, early reports circulating online regarding Suryavanshi’s cricket records contained significant inaccuracies. Contrary to viral claims of him scoring thousands of T20 runs or registering past IPL centuries, the 13-year-old has not yet made his IPL debut.

Suryavanshi actually generated international headlines during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, where the Rajasthan Royals secured the teenager for INR 1.10 crore, making him the youngest player ever acquired in tournament history. His primary on-field achievement to date is a blistering 58-ball century for India U19 against Australia U19 in September 2024.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Player Profile

As Suryavanshi prepares for his potential debut within the BCCI domestic structures and the upcoming IPL season, the incident serves as a reminder for media outlets to balance coverage equitably among India’s elite athletes across all disciplines.