Vaibhav Suryavanshi is making headlines across cricket circles — and for all the right reasons. The 14-year-old batter from Bihar recently scored a stunning 101 off 38 balls in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals. His explosive batting made him the youngest centurion in IPL history and the fastest by an Indian. Naturally, many fans are asking: “Should Vaibhav Suryavanshi be called up to the Indian team already?”
But a former BCCI selector, Venkatapathy Raju, believes we should wait and be patient. According to Raju, we shouldn’t rush a 14-year-old into the big leagues just yet.
Raju, who was a key selector during India’s 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, says we should allow Vaibhav Suryavanshi to first perform in under-19 cricket, first class, Ranji, and Duleep Trophy.
He wants to make sure the batter is ready for the pressure of international cricket. “See, talent-wise, we already know what he can do with a white ball. But we need to be patient. He should perform well in four-day games first. That’s how we know a player is ready for the big stage.”
Sachin Tendulkar Did It, But That Was Exception, Not Rule
Some fans compare Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut at 16. But Raju is quick to point out that Tendulkar’s path was different. Sachin scored 100 on Ranji debut, Duleep debut, and Irani debut — all in multiday cricket — proving his ability to perform under pressure.
“It’s not fair to compare everyone with Sachin. He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. We need to let Vaibhav grow at his own pace and not rush him into the big team just because we are excited.”
Vaibhav’s Rising Success So Far
Vaibhav Suryavanshi started his journey in cricket at a very young age — first under his father’s guidance and then at a academy when he was nine. His big break came in the 2024 ACC U-19 Asia Cup, where he scored a 76 off 46 balls against UAE and 67 off 36 balls against Sri Lanka. His form earned him a spot in Rajasthan Royals’ team for IPL 2025.
He made headlines when, at 14 years and 32 days, he scored 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans — the fastest IPL 100 by an Indian batter.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a huge talent — that’s clear. But patience is key. Let him grow, learn, and perform at all levels first. That way, when the time comes for him to debut for India, it will be a smooth ride.
As a friend over coffee might say, “Don’t put all your cookies in the oven at once — let it bake first.”
