​NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has given teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a fresh moniker, calling him the “Terminator 6,” and expressed a strong desire to mentor the youngster just as he did with India opener Abhishek Sharma. Yuvraj sees immense potential in the 15-year-old and believes his future in cricket is exceptionally bright. Sooryavanshi recently debuted for India in the T20I series against England, marking a significant milestone early in his career. Earlier in the year, he also eclipsed Yuvraj’s own mark for the fastest List A fifty by an Indian, reaching the 50-run landmark in just 11 balls during the India A versus Sri Lanka A Tri-Series final.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Yuvraj explained the origin of the nickname “Terminator” and why Abhishek Sharma is known as “Terminator 4.” He revealed that Sooryavanshi has now earned the title of “Terminator 6.” “I’ve always seen myself as a Terminator. There is Terminator 4—Abhishek Sharma—who is four times better than me. And after him comes Terminator 6, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has evolved even further. I did my part in my time; Abhishek elevated it, and now Vaibhav is setting new standards. This represents the third phase of the same journey. It’s wonderful to watch the sport evolve,” Yuvraj stated.
The former all-rounder also emphasized how much he has invested in mentoring Abhishek and expressed his eagerness to extend the same guidance to Vaibhav. Drawing a parallel with contemporary tennis greats, he noted that the sport continues to evolve with each new generation. “When I watch players like Sinner and Alcaraz, I see how tennis—and by extension cricket—are changing. I observe the same evolution in Abhishek and Vaibhav. I have spent considerable time coaching Abhishek, and I would love to spend more with Vaibhav as well. He has a tremendous career ahead of him. He is a serious player in the making, and I am confident he will reach the heights,” he added.
Yuvraj, Sooryavanshi, and Abhishek were in attendance at the Wimbledon men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev at the All England Club on Sunday. Sooryavanshi described what meeting his idol meant to him, underscoring how special the experience was. “Yuvi Paaji is my idol as well. Meeting him for the first time was a memorable moment. I got to spend time with him, and he shared a lot of insights about the game,” he remarked. Sooryavanshi highlighted the advice he received on the mental aspects of cricket, handling pressure, and the importance of believing in oneself. “He spoke about the mental side of the game, how to deal with pressure, and the essential belief in yourself. It feels incredible to have so much to learn from someone like him, and I’m sure it will help me immensely in my career going forward,” Sooryavanshi added.
Yuvraj’s mentorship philosophy has resonated with fans and budding cricketers alike, reinforcing the idea that seasoned veterans can play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation. The emphasis on mental resilience, self-belief, and pressure management aligns with modern coaching approaches, suggesting that Sooryavanshi’s rise could be the beginning of a long, storied journey under the mentorship of one of India’s most celebrated champions. As Sooryavanshi continues to develop and gain exposure at the highest levels, cricket enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how far the “Terminator 6” moniker translates into on-field due credit and tangible progress in his burgeoning career.