In a matter of months, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has moved from being a precocious talent to a name that has captured the imagination of the cricketing world. At just 14, the young Indian batter has drawn admiration not only from fans but from some of the most respected voices in the game, with England’s Jos Buttler leading the praise.

Buttler recently remarked that Sooryavanshi “has to be” the greatest batsman he has ever seen. Buttler was behind the stumps last year when Sooryavanshi tore into Gujarat Titans with a breathtaking hundred for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, an innings that flipped the match despite Titans putting up a substantial total.

Since then, the performances have continued to stack up. Towards the end of last year, representing Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a List A hundred in men’s cricket, smashing 190 off just 84 balls. Earlier this month, on the biggest stage in junior cricket, he produced another astonishing knock, scoring 175 off 80 balls in the Under 19 World Cup final to push England out of the contest.

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook, along with spinner Phil Tufnell, have since spoken openly about their amazement at what they have seen.

“I saw Jos Buttler say that he [Sooryavanshi] has got to be the greatest player he has even seen. He is just 14 and has got a List A hundred to his name. And he is the youngest cricketer ever to score a List A hundred," Vaughan said.

Cook then went on to describe what impressed him most about the youngster’s batting.

“I didn’t see his T20 hundred but I saw his other hundred and I was thinking he was just going to back away and hack it. Very strong. He has got this unbelievable bat speed. I saw this English guy bowl to him back of a length on the fourth stump [referring to the under 19 World Cup match] and it was not a bad ball. He hit it just like that over point," Cook said.

Tufnell, speaking partly in jest, suggested Sooryavanshi could already be playing at the highest level.

“Get him in there,” he said.

Cook also expressed surprise at the depth of Indian cricket, pointing out that even established players are finding it difficult to break into the national side. Vaughan summed up the situation with a chuckle.

“Shubman Gill also didn’t get in that squad. Shubman is partying, dancing at Arjun Tendulkar’s [pre wedding celebrations]. Jaiswal can’t even get in, so, Indians could have lobbed this guy [Sooryavanshi] right into the T20 World Cup and he would not have disappointed for sure," The former England captain noted.