Sanjay Manjrekar Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi For Record-Breaking Knock Days After Urging Management To Drop India A Opener

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emphatically responded to recent criticism from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, delivering a breathtaking 94 runs off just 28 balls in the final of the Tri-Nation A Series against Sri Lanka A today. His explosive performance, which included the fastest List A fifty in history, has led to a notable shift in Manjrekar's public commentary, just days after the pundit suggested Sooryavanshi should be benched for disciplinary reasons. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates Record, Smashes Fastest Fifty in List A Cricket Off 11 Balls in IND-A vs SL-A Tri-Series Final.

Sanjay Manjrekar Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Just realised Vaibhav looks at 50 overs cricket as a format where he can create even more mayhem!

What with 2 fielders outside the circle for 10 overs! & not 6. 😳👏👏👏#SonySports

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 21, 2026

Sanjay Manjrekar's Initial Critique

The controversy began on 17 June, following an on-field altercation involving Sooryavanshi during an India A match against Sri Lanka A. Tensions flared after India A's Super Over loss, with television footage showing the 15-year-old pushing Sri Lankan player Vishen Halambage. Reports indicated that Halambage had been verbally provoking Sooryavanshi throughout the series. Reacting to the incident, Sanjay Manjrekar took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, "If I was India A coach or manager I would have left Vaibhav Suryavanshi out for this game v AFG. Only to let him know that's it's not OK to get physical on the field. Whatever the provocations." Manjrekar's comments underscored a belief that physical confrontations, regardless of provocation, are unacceptable in professional cricket.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Blistering Response

Today, in the Tri-Nation Series final, Sooryavanshi unleashed a spectacular assault on the Sri Lanka A bowling attack. Opening the innings, the left-hander smashed 94 runs from a mere 28 deliveries, an innings punctuated by 10 fours and 8 sixes. His remarkable knock saw him reach his maiden India A fifty in an astonishing 11 balls, shattering a 21-year-old record for the fastest List A half-century. This performance was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles in the tournament, where he had failed to convert starts into significant scores, despite a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. Users Mistake Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fan Account As His Real One, Slam Sanjay Manjrekar on X.

A Change of Tune from the Commentator

Following Sooryavanshi's record-breaking innings, Manjrekar once again took to X, this time to praise the young batter. "Just realised Vaibhav looks at 50 overs cricket as a format where he can create even more mayhem! What with 2 fielders outside the circle for 10 overs! & not 6," he posted. This sudden shift in tone did not go unnoticed by cricket fans, who quickly trolled Manjrekar on social media, reminding him of his earlier call for Sooryavanshi's exclusion. Manjrekar reportedly turned off replies to his post amidst the online reaction. Despite the earlier disciplinary concerns, the BCCI had decided against taking action against Sooryavanshi, allowing him to focus on the tournament.

The incident highlights the intense scrutiny young talents face in modern cricket, particularly from seasoned commentators. Sooryavanshi's ability to channel pressure into a record-breaking performance not only propelled India A to a commanding total of 377/9 but also served as a powerful statement, demonstrating his resilience and immense potential on the international stage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2026 08:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).