Kapil Dev Backs Teen Star Sooryavanshi, But Warns Against Premature Hype
Cricket legend compares 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Tendulkar and Kohli, yet cautions against rushing his India debut.
India's cricket fraternity is abuzz with talk of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi potentially making his international debut against England, following a stellar performance in the Indian Premier League. The teenage batting prospect has captured attention with his explosive displays, sparking calls from fans and analysts for an immediate elevation to the national squad.
Legendary pacer Kapil Dev has weighed in on the debate, offering measured praise for the young cricketer. Dev acknowledged that Sooryavanshi possesses the natural talent and calibre comparable to cricket greats Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. However, the former India captain urged restraint, cautioning against building excessive expectations around the teenager before he has proven himself at the highest levels of international cricket.
Capil Dev stressed the importance of testing Sooryavanshi's mettle in longer formats of the game, particularly Test cricket, before crowning him as the next big thing. The legendary cricketer's balanced perspective reflects a broader concern in Indian cricket about fast-tracking young talents without adequate preparation for the varied demands of international cricket.
With India looking to secure a turnaround in the ongoing T20 series against England, the pressure to find new match-winners has intensified. However, Dev's intervention suggests that patience and proper grooming might serve the young star better than immediate exposure at the senior level. The coming weeks will reveal whether Indian cricket management heeds this sage advice or accelerates Sooryavanshi's international journey.
Source: Times of India
