At a mere 14 years of age, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has shook Indian cricket with a masterful IPL debut which included a hundred he scored off just 35 balls. His performance in one of the world's most competitive leagues has placed him on the national radar. Indian cricket legends Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman's beneficent tactical guidance behind his hitherto unprecedented rise attests, with his modest training at coach Manish Ojha.
Early Training and Talent Identification
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's cricketing journey was initiated by coach Manish Ojha, who recognized his potential when he was extremely young. While all the other boys in his age group were going to school, Vaibhav's cricketing abilities were being nurtured through systematic training. Ojha's rigorous training toughened him for age-level tournaments, in which his consistency and grasp over the game started gaining recognition.
One of these was the BCCI Under-19 Challenger series. NCA chief VVS Laxman witnessed Vaibhav play and witnessed his ability outshining the scoreboard. Even after getting out for 36, Vaibhav's behavior stunned Laxman. Laxman mentioned, Ojha remembered, temperament and technique being more in the mind of the academy rather than runs accumulated.
Acting on this insight, Laxman recommended Vaibhav's name to India's Under-19 Four-Nation Tournament team, and thus gave him exposure to international level cricket in the short run. His game at the NCA also improved his skills. Rahul Dravid, Rajasthan Royals head coach and erstwhile India captain renowned for grooming young cricketers, was then approached by Laxman and made familiar with Vaibhav.
Dravid, who had already seen Vaibhav play in franchise trials, continued to put more pressure on the selectors to pick him for the IPL 2025 auction. Even when another franchise offered ₹1 crore, Dravid made sure Rajasthan Royals bid successfully for ₹1.10 crore for the young boy. Individual coaching during the team camp provided further confidence boost to the teenager when he personally conducted training with the boy himself.
IPL Breakthrough at 14
Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his IPL debut in a record-breaking manner. Only days after being picked, he made headlines with a breathtaking performance by scoring a century off 35 balls. This explosive innings came against seasoned international bowlers, putting him firmly in the limelight as the most promising young talent in the league. Just 14 years old, his maturity at the crease with the bat was a first, and rave reviews came his way from seniors and experts alike.
His control in a pressure game and big-shot choice baffled not only the crowd but also the Rajasthan Royals' coaching staff. Dravid's mentorship obviously worked, as Vaibhav displayed technical control accompanied by tactical ferocity – a rare package at such a young age.
Future Prospects and National Buzz
The cricketing community now sees Vaibhav as a likely candidate for the national team in the near future. His performance has raised questions on giving him a push to the higher formats at a rush. Help and endorsements from legends like Laxman and Dravid, and also through a well-designed development process through the NCA, show that his career is being taken care of with prudence.
With IPL on, his consistency and physical levels will come naturally under the scanner of selectors as well as coaches intensively. Vaibhav's early exposure to cricket and his guidance give him a huge advantage over contemporaries. If so, his elevation to the senior level of cricket might come sooner than expected.
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