Fact check: Did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit back at Manjrekar?

A viral response from young India batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has created a buzz on social media. The post claims that Sooryavanshi hit back at Manjrekar after his criticism of the youngster and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The viral post includes a statement that reads, "Enough with the toxicity, immature arguments, and salty behaviour. Sooryavanshi wrote on X." The post has led many social media users to believe that the young batter directly responded to Manjrekar.

However, the authenticity of the viral post is now under question. Manjrekar had criticised the disciplinary standards of young Indian cricketers following separate incidents involving Rajasthan Royals teammates Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal against Sri Lankan players.

Throughout this article, we will share the complete details and fact-check the claim about Sooryavanshi’s alleged response.

What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi actually posted on X

The viral post claimed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi responded to Sanjay Manjrekar on X, saying, “Enough with the toxicity, immature arguments, and salty behaviour. Know the full story before preaching others.” The statement quickly gained attention on social media after Manjrekar criticised the disciplinary standards of young Indian cricketers.

However, the key fact is that Sooryavanshi does not have an official X account from which he could have posted the viral response. His social media presence is mainly on Instagram, and there has been no such post from him there in response to Manjrekar’s comments.

The account behind the viral post uses Sooryavanshi’s name and a verification badge, which may have made the claim look genuine. However, its profile description clearly identifies it as a fan page and states that it is not affiliated with or managed by the young cricketer. Therefore, the viral X post cannot be attributed to Sooryavanshi.

Why Sanjay Manjrekar called for action for Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi

The controversy began after Sanjay Manjrekar criticised the handling of recent incidents involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. “Vaibhav for Ind A recently & now Jaiswal… if you keep letting them get away with such behaviour, you train them to repeat such behaviour,” Manjrekar wrote on X. He also said that such behaviour was not good for the sport or for the players’ future.

Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange with Sri Lanka A players after India A lost a Super Over in the Tri-Nation A series in Dambulla. The young batter was unhappy with what he felt were excessive celebrations by the Sri Lankan players. He confronted them, which led to a verbal exchange and a shove. The incident raised questions about possible disciplinary action, but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said such matters were the responsibility of match officials and the relevant cricket authorities.

Jaiswal was also involved in a separate incident and later defended his actions. After analyst Harsha Bhogle said that walking away would have been the better choice, Jaiswal responded, “If you don’t know what he said, then please don’t make your judgment.” He further added, “If someone crosses the line, we need to let them know. This India will fight and reply.”

BCCI's response and what this means for young players going forward

Although the BCCI has not issued any official response specifically about the incidents involving Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the board has continued to stress the importance of discipline and professionalism among young players.

The recent incidents have highlighted the need for young cricketers to remain calm and focused, especially during heated moments on the field. Players are expected to respect their opponents and avoid actions that could lead to unnecessary controversy or disciplinary issues.

Going forward, these incidents could serve as a learning experience for young Indian players. Along with their performances on the field, maintaining discipline and handling pressure in the right way will remain important as they build their international careers.