IPL: Former India coach says 'don’t rush Sooryavanshi’s India debut'
MUMBAI: Bihar’s ‘boy wonder’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has lit up IPL-2026 with his fearless strokeplay for Rajasthan Royals. However, leg-spin great Anil Kumble believes the though the 15-year-old is firmly on the radar of selectors, he should not be rushed into the team so early on in his career. Kumble, a former India captain and head coach, compared the excitement around Vaibhav to the early days of Sachin Tendulkar, noting that both showed extraordinary promise as teenagers.
However, Kumble said every player’s journey is unique and that placing expectations too early could burden the youngster. Kumble said he had little doubt that Sooryavanshi would represent India “sooner rather than later”. “Sachin Tendulkar, every time he walked out as a 14-or 15-year-old, he was scoring hundreds.
From what we’ve seen, Vaibhav is certainly doing all the right things. But at this point, it’s a lot of pressure on a young lad to say, ‘we want you to play for India in two months’ time. ’ It may happen, it may not but he has time on his side.
Even 10 years later, he’ll only be 25, and that’s the best part about someone doing so well at 15,” Kumble said at a Barclays event at the Cricket Club of India on Friday. Kumble added that Sooryavanshi could make his India debut “this year, next year, or a couple of years later” and that selectors will be monitoring him closely. “I’m sure there will be a time when he will play for India.
Whether it’s fast-tracked or not, every player has his own journey. Some start at 15, some at 28 but they all have a role to play. For Vaibhav, it could be this year, next year or a couple of years later.