Ex-India coach warns: Sooryavanshi at U19 WC could hinder growth
Ex-India coach warns: Sooryavanshi at U19 WC could hinder growth
Former India coach WV Raman cautions against overexposing 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the U-19 World Cup, as India start with a win over the USA in Bulawayo.
Former India coach WV Raman has urged caution over using 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the Under-19 level, warning that rapid exposure could hinder his long-term development if the big picture isn’t kept in mind. While Sooryavanshi has already turned heads with an IPL debut and a string of eye-catching numbers, Raman argues that the context matters, and push at age 14 could backfire even as the youngster helps teams win games.
India kicked off their U-19 World Cup campaign with a six-wicket win over the USA in Bulawayo, handling rain interruptions in Group B. Ayush Mhatre led the side, and Sooryavanshi’s role drew less attention this time—he lasted just four deliveries, charging down the track before being dismissed. The quiet outing comes after he showed form in warm-ups, including a dominant 96 off 50 against Scotland, and after earning an IPL call-up with Rajasthan Royals where he became the youngest Indian to score a century in the tournament’s history.
Even with the early success at the junior level, experts like Raman stress that development should keep the main focus. Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise has been remarkable, and while a flat-out winner’s instinct runs through his game, keeping him on a longer arc could be crucial for India’s cricket future. The ongoing World Cup will test not just his skill but the judgment of those managing his grooming as a prodigy.
