Netizens slam reporter for asking Olympian Manu Bhaker question on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘Felt a bit irrelevant to ask'

Paris Olympics 2024 double medallist Manu Bhaker was recently present at the National Rifle Association of India’s 75th Anniversary celebration in New Delhi, and a question she was asked by a reporter has drawn public criticism.

Manu Bhaker was asked about the young cricketing sensation by a reporter on the sidelines of the event.

“I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent. 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,” she replied to the reporter's question.

Sports producer and former team director of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Joy Bhattacharjya said that asking Manu questions about Vaibhav instead of questions on her own sport was unfair.

“Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country; your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi.

"Optionally, next time ask Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see the looks you get," he wrote on "X".

Several other social media users shared similar opinions on the topic. Here are a few more reactions:

Overall, Vaibhav, who made his IPL debut in 2025, has scored a total of 609 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 222.26, hitting three fifties and two centuries.