2 weeks Ago
Virender Sehwag advised Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi to stay grounded and learn longevity from Virat Kohli. Former India opener Virender Sehwag has strongly advised Rajasthan Royals’ teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi to ‘remain grounded’ and learn longevity from Virat Kohli. Sehwag warned that if the youngster becomes satisfied with being a millionaire after his first season, ‘we won’t see him next year’.
Suryavanshi, 14, was signed for Rs. 1.1 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
He became the youngest to play in the IPL when he made his debut against the Lucknow Super Giants last week. He scored 34 runs in his first match and followed it up with 16 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday (April 24). RR lost both matches, though, and are struggling in the race for top four.
“If you step out knowing that you will get praised for doing well and criticised for not doing well, you will remain grounded," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz . “I have seen many players who come, get fame from one or two matches, then they do not do anything, because they think that they have become a star player," he added. “Suryavanshi must aim to play 20 years in the IPL.
Look at Virat Kohli, he started playing when he was 19 years old, now he has played all 18 seasons. That is what he should be trying to emulate. But, if he is happy with this IPL, thinking that he is now a millionaire, had a great debut, hit a six off the first ball, maybe we won’t see him next year," Sehwag said.
Suryavanshi replaced the injured Sanju Samson in RR’s lineup. The 14-year-old hit a six off his first ball against Shardul Thakur in the LSG game and showed signs of promise against RCB, too. During the tournament, his coach Manish Ojha spoke to News18 CricketNext in an interview.
“He has always been an attacking player. His intent is very different from others. He never lets the opponent dictate terms.
He never likes to get under pressure, no matter who is he facing. Usually, kids get tensed while facing seniors or competitive opponents. But Vaibhav is different.
He never changes his approach," the coach said. “Once during a match simulation, I asked him why are you not taking singles and doubles. He said, ‘Jis ball ko main chhakka maar sakta hun usmein single kyun lun’ (Why should I go for a single when I can hit that ball for a six?).
So, he was very clear about his game from a very young age," he added. Read the full piece here: ‘Jis Ball Par 6 Maar Sakta Hun, Usmein Single Kyun Lun’: Why Vaibhav Suryavanshi is ’10 Years Ahead’ Of His Age Group.
