Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh was highly impressed by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played some excellent cricket for Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025. The boy showed excellent confidence and skill way above his age. But as Waugh was extolling his talent, he also cautioned fans and commentators in general not to compare him with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar just yet. Suryavanshi's turning point was when he hit a 100 in 35 balls against Gujarat Titans. It was the second-fastest century in IPL history and the fastest century hit by an Indian. While Rajasthan Royals did not perform well this year, the young left-handed batsman impressed with 252 runs in seven games at a strike rate of over 200. At a JioStar and Cricket Australia cricket game, Waugh praised Suryavanshi on staying calm, putting in efforts, and playing well under pressure. Waugh said: "I watched that century and I just couldn't believe how well he struck the ball and how easy he was hitting the sixes and how relaxed he was...As a 14-year-old, he had no concept of pressure...just play with complete freedom, so that was great to watch. I guess for him the challenge will be to keep it under control." He added: "Can he play the same way with the same enthusiasm, the same freedom as he has done this year? That'll be his challenge...He's got a lot of skill, he's mentally tough and he's got a great backstory, so you want to see someone like that be successful. It's a great story for cricket and for me watching from a long way away." Also Read | Vintage Rishabh Pant keeps antics, reaches century in style Handling Pressure is the Real Test: Waugh But Waugh cautioned against comparing him with Tendulkar yet. He remembered Tendulkar's uncharacteristic and sublime hundred at Perth in 1992 and compared it with his own. He made it clear that Tendulkar had faced much tougher conditions and had a longer and more distinguished career, which is not so easy to match. Former Aussie skipper said: "I don't think you can compare anyone to Sachin Tendulkar. I mean, a 16-year-old (18-year-old) coming out to Australia and scoring a century in Perth on the hardest, (the) most unique pitch in world cricket where most players really struggle to play on a pitch." He added: "For him to score a century as a teenager in Perth was a freakish performance. It's very rare you get a Sachin Tendulkar come along. But I would never have expected a 14-year-old to score a 100 in the IPL, that was unthinkable." They do share some similarities - both were teenagers who captured everyone's hearts with their initial performances. But while Tendulkar played for 24 years and became one of the best, Suryavanshi has just begun. Waugh believed the young cricketer has a lot of potential, but the true test would be when he performs under pressure and plays well in the next few years.