Former Australian cricketer and ex-Indian national team coach Greg Chappell issued a strong warning to the BCCI, urging them to safeguard 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. The young talent amazed the world with a remarkable century against the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.
Suryavanshi gained fame by smashing records with a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, becoming the second-fastest centurion in IPL history and the youngest player with a T20 ton. He holds the record for the fastest IPL ton by an Indian but faced disappointment when he made a two-ball duck against Mumbai Indians in the next match.
Chappell and Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid emphasize the need for a nurturing environment for Suryavanshi. They advise against excessive hype, urging fans to allow him to develop without undue pressure. Chappell, in his ESPNcricinfo column, aligns with Dravid on avoiding excessive praise for young cricketers.
Chappell warned against overhyping young cricketers by citing Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw as cautionary tales. Both failed to fulfill their potential due to intense pressure. He stressed the need for the cricket ecosystem, including the BCCI, franchises, mentors, and media, to shield upcoming talent. While talent cannot be sheltered completely, it can be supported to thrive effectively.
Chappell suggested that talent cannot be protected like “bubble wrap” but can benefit from a buffer, such as integrating licensed child psychologists into elite youth programs to address the emotional turbulence of adolescence. He emphasized the importance of a strong support system, citing Sachin Tendulkar’s success as a teenager being attributed not solely to talent but also to having a reliable network.
Suryavanshi, bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore in the 2024 IPL mega-auction and debuting in the 2025 season as an injury replacement for skipper Sanju Samson, faces challenges highlighted by his recent duck against MI’s Deepak Chahar. Dravid and Chappell’s concerns emphasize the need for caution when managing this young talent in Indian cricket.
Teen prodigy Suryavanshi made a stunning IPL debut with a century in 2025. He took on Ishant Sharma first, dominating all bowlers. His explosive knock led RR to 100 in the eighth over. Suryavanshi reached 50 in 17 balls, then smashed a century in 35 more. He scored 101 from 38 balls, with 7 fours and 11 sixes, falling to Prasidh Krishna eventually.
Sources News From Various Digital Platforms, Websites, Journalists, And Agencies.
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