England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler made a huge declaration about the 14-year-old Indian wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and called the teenager “the best player I’ve ever seen”.

Buttler’s words came after Sooryavanshi hammered 175 in the final of India’s U19 World Cup 2026 won over England in Harare, Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi struck 15 sixes and 15 fours as he led India to 411/9 in 50 overs. England managed 311 runs thanks to a century by Caleb Falconer, but lost the final by 100 runs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for his exploits.

After Sooryavanshi's incredible 175 off just 80 balls, Buttler was unable to contain his admiration, as he stated on the Love for Cricket podcast.

“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?” Buttler said on Love for Cricket podcast.

Fellow England pacer Mark Wood, also part of the podcast, admitted the comment was a bold one, replying: “That’s a pretty big statement from you.”

Wood further asked Buttler whether Sooryavanshi could become an absolute superstar or risk being derailed by early hype.

However, Buttler supported the young player's qualifications, pointing out that Sooryavanshi had performed well on larger platforms in the past.

“I don’t see how he can’t be. He’s already played… he’s got a hundred in the IPL. He hit his first ball in the IPL for six,” Buttler said.

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