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Why Did Question to Manu Bhaker on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Spark Social Media Outrage? Explained

Sanjeev Kumar | April 28, 2026 4:24 PM CST

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker was unexpectedly asked about cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at an NRAI event. While Bhaker praised the young talent, the question itself sparked a social media storm, with many criticizing India's cricket-centric media for the irrelevant crossover.

Indian shooter and two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker found herself at the centre of a social media storm after she was asked about Rajasthan Royals (RR) batting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) event in New Delhi on Monday, April 27.

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Bhaker was among the guests for the 75th anniversary celebrations of NRAI when she unexpectedly came across a question about Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during a media interaction at the event.

Sooryavanshi has been a talk of the town, especially in the cricketing world, due to his impressive performances and rapid rise at a young age in the Rajasthan Royals setup since the last IPL season. The 15-year-old’s fearless strokeplay and aggressive batting approach tipped him to be one of the next big things in world cricket.

‘There Is No Age for Talent’

On the sidelines of the NRAI 75th anniversary event in New Delhi, Manu Bhaker interacted with the media, and a reporter asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket and his performances in the IPL, prompting the shooter to share her thoughts about his talent and potential.

Bhaker emphasized that with proper guidance and positive company, age doesn’t limit talent. She believes mentorship shapes success, and Sooryavanshi can become a future cricket star.

“I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around him are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent,” the 2024 Paris Olympics double medalist said.

“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,” he added.

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Manu Bhaker and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are playing two different sports, but the latter’s rapid rise in cricket and the shooter’s remarks on talent and mentorship brought the moment into the spotlight, drawing attention across social media.

Why Question on Sooryavanshi to Bhaker Sparked a Social Media Storm?

Manu Bhaker got caught in the spotlight not for her comments on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s talent and potential, but for the question asked of her by a journalist about the young Rajasthan Royals batter, which quickly became a talking point on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), for its unexpected crossover between shooting and cricket.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts criticized the relevance of the question, arguing that Olympic medalists like Manu Bhaker should not have been asked about a cricketer, while also highlighting India’s cricket-centric media culture and calling it an unnecessary crossover between two different sports.

Others praised Bhaker’s calm and thoughtful response and appreciated her views on talent and mentorship.

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Manu Bhaker is currently preparing for the next competitive cycle, with her immediate focus on the Asian Games in Japan, which will take place on September 1, followed by the World Shooting Championships on November 1.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, on the other hand, is currently playing the IPL 2026 and is the second leading run-getter, with 357 runs, including a century and two fifties, at an average of 44.62 and a strike rate of 234.86 in 8 matches.