The authorities governing cricket in India have recommended to control the rapid advancement of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the batting prodigy of 16 years. The concern about a lack of proper competition at the highest level, which may have a negative effect on his long-term growth, is the basis for the recommendation.
The 14-year-old opener from Bihar has comfortably entered into the circuit of domestic and age-group cricket with his phenomenal power and aggressive stroke making. The latest accomplishment — a fantastic 190 off only 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh — has put his great potential on display again. Suryavanshi is already being compared with professionals who are much older than he is, and his record-breaking century for Rajasthan Royals in IPL earlier this year is still fresh in people’s minds.
However, the question arises whether Suryavanshi is facing right challenges. At present, Bihar is in the Plate Group of the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he can expect to have easier bowling and hence, will not be able to prepare himself for the toughest challenges in the game.
Devang Gandhi, who was an Indian selector in the past, while talking to the Times of India, cautioned that such uneven matches might prevent the national selectors from having a correct assessment of the young player’s preparedness. He also cautioned that prolonged exposure to lower-quality attacks could lead to technical and tactical “bad habits” that might later require significant effort to correct.
“As selectors, you will never take these records into account,” Gandhi said, referring to Bihar’s world-record 574-run total in the tournament opener. He stressed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must step in and create a parallel pathway for exceptionally talented players emerging from smaller or less competitive states.
According to Gandhi, the most effective method for Suryavanshi’s progress would be rigorous and constant tough red-ball cricket games. He asked the BCCI to see to it that the talented cricketer participates in difficult First-Class matches, that is, where one’s patience, technique, and adaptability are much more severely tested.
“Suryavanshi requires difficult First-Class cricket concerning his growth.” Right now, he is largely limited to white-ball formats. The BCCI must find a way to give him exposure to top-quality red-ball cricket,” Gandhi said.
He concluded by warning that the hours Suryavanshi is putting into domestic cricket should not become “meaningless” due to a lack of competition. Gandhi’s view is that only through consistent challenges a gifted player could master his techniques instead of just depending on remarkable innings against inferior rivals.
Suryavanshi will be playing for Bihar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and also he is likely to be the first opener for Rajasthan Royals in IPL. With higher expectations, the main target will be to make his stepping up to the senior level easy, enduring, and the right way laid out.
