Manu Bhaker

By Karan Gill , 30 April 2026

A routine media question posed to Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker regarding teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has unexpectedly ignited a broader public debate on social media about the hierarchy of sports recognition in India. The exchange occurred during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India. While Bhaker responded in a balanced and encouraging manner, the framing of the question itself drew criticism online, with many users arguing that it reflected a systemic bias toward cricket over other sports.