South African pace great Dale Steyn has showered praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as a once-in-a-generation talent and admitting that South Africa currently has no young cricketer capable of matching the Indian prodigy’s remarkable rise. At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi has already become one of the most talked-about names in world cricket. After making headlines with a record-breaking IPL century in 2025, the left-hander elevated his reputation even further during IPL 2026.

Representing Rajasthan Royals, he amassed 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, finishing as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and earning a historic call-up to India’s T20I squad. Speaking during an interaction organised by SA20, Steyn acknowledged the depth of talent coming through South Africa’s cricketing system but stressed that Sooryavanshi belongs in a category of his own.

“I don’t think there’s a wonderkid who’s 14 or 15 in South Africa right now. And if there is, I’m not aware of him,” Dale Steyn said. “But one thing I will say is that there is no shortage of talent in South Africa. We have incredible talent coming through the system. There are outstanding Under-19 and Under-15 players progressing through the school circuit. That said, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a different gravy. He’s better than most international players right now. He’s a genuine boy wonder and a treasure for Indian cricket.”

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Steyn, who closely followed Sooryavanshi’s performances during IPL 2026 as a commentator, believes the teenager has the potential to become one of the biggest stars the game has ever seen. However, he also warned that managing such extraordinary talent requires careful planning and patience.

“You think of players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, and this kid is going to explode. He could end up being bigger than both of them put together by the end of his career,” Dale Steyn remarked. “So I’d be very careful about how he’s managed and looked after. With great responsibility comes great reward, but there’s also a risk that you could lose him along the way if he isn’t handled properly.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already taken steps to protect the youngster from excessive pressure. Reports suggest that Sooryavanshi’s media commitments are being carefully managed, while his family remains closely involved as he transitions into international cricket.

Steyn also revealed how he would approach bowling to the teenager if given the opportunity. The former fast bowler believes pace and short-pitched bowling could provide the toughest examination for the young batter.

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“If I were looking for an area to test him, I’d do what Kagiso Rabada does so well. I’d challenge him with pace and bounce. He’s still very young, and cricket is a game that involves a fear factor. So the short ball is probably a good option. I’d test him upstairs and see how he responds.”

Interestingly, Sooryavanshi has already shown he can handle elite fast bowling. In IPL encounters against Rabada, he scored 43 runs from just 23 deliveries at a strike rate of 187 while being dismissed only once, highlighting why so many experts believe Indian cricket may have unearthed its next superstar.