Explained! Why Manu Bhaker’s response to a Vaibhav Sooryvanshi question has sparked a raging debate

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New Delhi: The last time Manu Bhaker was in the news was during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when she brought home glory with two medals for India. The Haryana shooter finds himself in the headlines two years later again, but for different and non-sporting reasons.

The ace Indian shooter finds herself in the centrestage not for winning a medal or breaking a record. Instead, she has garnered headlines for answering a question.

Asked about Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Bihar batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) event in New Delhi on Monday, Bhaker, among the guests for the 75th anniversary celebrations of NRAI, gave an honest reply.

However, her interaction with the journalist went viral, taking social media by storm.

What was the question?

During a media interaction at the event, a reporter asked Bhaker about the meteoric rise of Sooryavanshi, who has taken world cricket by storm at the age of 15 with his fearless and aggressive strokeplay.

What did Bhaker say?

Responding to the unexpected question, Bhaker said: “I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around him are good, then age is just a number. And there is no age for talent,” the Paris Games double medallist said.

“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,” he added.

What sparked the controversy?

While at face value, the question and the answer are pretty straightforward. However, several notable people and fans took offence at the journalist’s question to Bhaker, a shooter, on a cricket, which had no connection with her or the event.

Kolkata Knight Riders team director Joy Bhattacharjya slammed the media for asking unnecessary questions.

Here’s how the social media reacted

He wrote: “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.”

Fans were also left furious by the totally avoidable question.

Bhaker is currently preparing for the Asian Games in Japan, scheduled to begin on September 1, followed by the World Shooting Championships on November 1.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is currently playing in the ongoing IPL 2026. Bihar prodigy is placed second in the batting charts, with 357 runs, including a century and two fifties in eight matches.