Question asked to Manu Bhaker on Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (Photo- PTI)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Manu Bhaker: Double Olympic medal winning shooter Manu Bhakar recently attended the 75th anniversary celebration of the Shooting Association of India (NRAI). During this, Manu Bhakar talked to the media, but during this he was also asked questions about cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is dominating the sports world these days. However, a debate has erupted on social media. Many people have called this a clear injustice to Manu Bhaker’s achievements.
What did Manu Bhaker say on Vaibhav Suryavanshi?
Issues like Shooting League of India, grassroots program and unveiling of athlete app related to LA 2028 Olympics were being discussed at the function. Meanwhile, journalists asked Manu Bhakar for his opinion on young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Answering the question, Manu Bhakar said, ‘If Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets the right mentorship, there is a good environment around him and the right people guide him, then age is just a number. I believe that he can become the next big star of Indian sports.
But Manu Bhakar is being heavily criticized on social media for asking such questions. Users said that it is wrong to ask an Olympic medalist shooter about a cricketer during a shooting event. Many wrote that the passion for cricket in India is so high that players of other sports are often underestimated. Former team director of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Jai Bhattacharya also reacted sharply on this incident.
Folks, she is an Olympic medalist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair on her achievements and her sports. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country, your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi. https://t.co/Ha4RsO1rf8
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 27, 2026
Jai Bhattacharya also criticized
Jai Bhattacharya wrote on social media platform ‘X’, ‘Friends, he is an Olympic medalist. Asking her what she thinks about Vaibhav Suryavanshi is unfair to his achievements and his game. Anyway, cricket is the biggest passion of this country, your sports editors do not need any more celebrity statements to make headlines on Suryavanshi. Apart from this, next time try asking Vaibhav Suryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and see the expressions on his face.
Let us tell you, Manu Bhaker is the first shooter from India who has won two medals in the same Olympics. He had won bronze medals in 10 meter air pistol and mixed team events.
