Why Olympic gold medalist Manu Bhaker's praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has created a controversy

The recent comments made by Manu Bhaker about young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have sparked an unexpected debate on social media, with many questioning the relevance of the question asked to her in the first place.

Bhaker, who is a double Olympic medallist, was speaking on the sidelines of an event when she was asked about Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in cricket. Responding in a positive tone, she said, "With the right mentorship, Vaibhav can be the next big star of Indian cricket." Her remark was meant as encouragement for the 15-year-old, who has been making headlines in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026.

Sooryavanshi has impressed everyone with his fearless batting despite his young age. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, he has already smashed three 15-ball fifties and recently scored the third-fastest century in the history of the league. Last year too, he had registered the second-fastest hundred, showing that his talent is not just a one-time fluke.

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Why Bhaker's praise has stirred a row?

However, the question asked to Bhaker did not go down well with some sections of fans and experts. Senior sports commentator Joy Bhattacharjya criticised the media for asking such a question to an Olympic shooter. He pointed out that it was unfair to Bhaker’s achievements and her sport, suggesting that cricket already gets enough attention in the country.

Many social media users echoed similar views. Some said that asking Bhaker about a cricketer takes the focus away from her own achievements and the sport of shooting. Others felt that such questions show India’s strong obsession with cricket, where even athletes from other sports are asked cricket-related questions.

There were also comments urging the media to ask Bhaker more about her own journey, upcoming tournaments, and experiences as an Olympic medallist instead of seeking reactions on trending cricket topics.