10 February,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jos Buttler (Pic: File Pic)
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler heaped praise on Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi by calling him the best player he has ever seen. His remarks came after the left-handed batsman's fiery knock of 175 runs off 80 deliveries in the final of the U-19 World Cup 2026 against England.
Speaking on the 'Love for Cricket' podcast, Buttler also said that it is exciting to imagine what Sooryavanshi could do at 16, 18 or 20.
"My statement is he's the best player I've ever seen, 'cause I'm like, who else was doing this at 14 years old? If he's doing that at 14, what's he gonna be doing at 16, 18, 20?," he said.
Pacer Mark Wood then questioned Buttler, asking if he sees the 14-year-old cricketer becoming a superstar of the game.
"That's a pretty big statement from you," said Wood.
"Do you see him being an absolute superstar, or do you think there's any way he gets derailed?" questioned the pacer.
Replying to Wood, Buttler said that Sooryavanshi already has a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he doesn't see any reason why he can't be a superstar of the game.
"I don't see how he can't be, you know? To be playing the way he can at 14 years old, and if he hadn't played in the IPL, you'd say, 'Oh, he's only done it in an under-19 World Cup, and yes, it's amazing, but let's see when he steps up to senior cricket.' But he's already played... he's got a hundred in the IPL. He hit his first ball in the IPL for six," said the 35-year-old cricketer.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, England is set to face the West Indies on February 11 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Currently, the "Three Lions" are placed in third position of Group C of the marquee tournament. They have a net run rate (NRR) of +0.200 and two points.
Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler (WK), Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Phil Salt (WK), Josh Tongue, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed.
(With ANI Inputs)
