Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with his stunning exploits in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) teenage sensation is currently holding sixth place in the leading run-scorer standings, with 440 runs in 11 innings at a blistering strike rate of 236.55, including a 36-ball hundred and two half-centuries. In the process, he has dominated high-profile bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood.
This performance was preceded by a record-breaking U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe, where he earned the Player-of-the-Tournament accolade.
Sooryavanshi finished India’s triumphant U19 World Cup campaign as the second-highest run-getter, amassing 439 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49, including a jaw-dropping knock of 175 in just 80 balls in the final against England.
While Sooryavanshi is drawing rich praises from all quarters, South African legend AB de Villiers has played down the hype surrounding the 15-year-old.
According to de Villiers, Sooryavanshi still has a long way to go before he is fully convinced about his abilities, reminding everyone that the youngster’s true test lies in succeeding in red-ball cricket.
“I don’t know if he’s going to last, to be honest. That’s what I tell my brothers and friends. At this age, it’s just absolutely incredible. We know the talent is there, but I would like to see him in other formats. In Test cricket, he doesn’t get to know what you’re in for,” de Villiers said while speaking on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast hosted by Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler.
“A lot of things will change unless someone comes around and says to him… Listen, you will be a T20 specialist for the rest of your life. Congratulations, that’s all you’re going to do. Then there will be a very long and successful career, but if he does start nibbling around in ODIs, particularly Test cricket, he will discover a whole different area of his cricket mentally and physically,” he added.
AB de Villiers emphasized that while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to overcome challenges, transitioning from a T20 phenomenon to a Test cricketer will be difficult.
“Does he have the talent to counter all the obstacles that might come his way? Definitely, but it won’t be an easy ride. It will be a rocky road. I hope he goes that route and plays Test cricket for his country. I would love to see that journey unfold,” the former Proteas captain remarked.
