15 years, 1 bat and 145 crore expectations! Will ‘International’ cricket prove to be a boon or a risk for Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Cricket fans all over the world are happy that their dream of seeing Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the jersey of the Indian senior team is going to come true soon. Along with the upcoming Ireland and England tour, the BCCI Senior Selection Committee has also given him a place in the men’s cricket team for the 2026 Asian Games. This speed is surprising, but along with it a big and serious question also arises. The question is, ‘Are we not imposing a Himalaya of expectations on a 15 year old child, which even the best of veterans are not able to handle?’

A trap of pressure compared to Sachin-Virat?

It has been an old habit of Indian cricket that whenever a new talent shines, we immediately sit down with the scales to compare it. The same is happening with Vaibhav. Some are seeing a glimpse of 16 year old Sachin Tendulkar in his fearless batting, while others are comparing his attitude and hunger to win matches with Virat Kohli. Of course, great players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli themselves have appreciated Vaibhav’s talent.

Not only the country, but foreign cricketers and opposing boards have also become admirers of this child’s timing and fearlessness. But we have to understand that Vaibhav Suryavanshi should be allowed to remain Vaibhav for now. When you start comparing a 15 year old child with Sachin who has 100 international centuries to his name, or with Virat who changed the definition of Chase Master, then you unknowingly tie heavy chains of expectations in the feet of that child.

Will Abhishek Sharma’s lesson become a lifeline?

After the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20 International, the Indian team was looking for a ‘crowd puller’ in this format who can change the course of the match as soon as he comes on the field. Till some time ago it seemed that Abhishek Sharma would fill this void with his stormy batting. He had made the same explosive start. Abhishek’s journey from debut in T20 cricket to becoming the number-1 batsman of the format was like a dream.

But Abhishek also realized what the ‘pressure of expectations’ is when he was seen struggling with poor form in the T20 World Cup, which was hosted by India. Home ground – the screams of millions of fans and the expectation of a boundary on almost every ball, it was this pressure which also sucked Abhishek’s confidence. This phase of Abhishek Sharma is a big lesson for Vaibhav Suryavanshi that there is a world of difference between the glamor of IPL and the heat of international cricket.

The glow of data and the field of reality!

There is no doubt that Vaibhav’s performance in IPL has been unmatched. The strike rate and consistency with which he scored runs is the result of which he is standing at the doorstep of Team India today. But the chessboard of international cricket is different. Here the opposing teams do homework more on your weakness than your strength. The real test will begin when Vaibhav faces bowlers like Joffra Archer, Josh Tongue and Sam Curran on the fast and seaming pitches of England.

Before this, he will get a chance to test his skills on the swinging ball even in the cold winds of Ireland. Here, to avoid Vaibhav disintegrating under pressure, such preparation will be required which can further enhance his game and identity.

Gambhir’s ‘seriousness’ and Iyer’s ‘responsibility’

If we look closely, this journey of Vaibhav Suryavanshi no longer depends only on his own hard work. Team India management will also have a big responsibility regarding what Vaibhav does in future and how he does it. In sports language, the ball is now in the court of the Indian team management. Needless to say, when Vaibhav, who has emerged from the glamor of IPL, steps into the dressing room of Team India’s international team, the big responsibility of guiding him will be on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer.

IPL figures can get you a team ticket, but to travel a long journey in international cricket, you have to be mentally strong. At the age of 15, there are changes in both body and technique, and it is during this period that the player needs the most protection.

New challenges will come with new responsibilities!

People will say that even during IPL, Vaibhav Suryavanshi stayed away from home for about 2 months, so what is so special this time? So the answer is that IPL 2026 was played in its own home soil i.e. India. The second thing is that in the media coverage of IPL, attention is always given to the performing players rather than the flop stars. Vaibhav’s consistent performance in IPL season-19 was good. The result was that there was no negative coverage against Vaibhav.

But as soon as Vaibhav joins the international team for India, along with his role and responsibilities, the playing environment around him is also sure to change. Now the pressure will not be to play for the franchise, but to live up to the expectations of the country. Vaibhav will have to face fast short balls and also sharp sledging from the opposing bowlers.

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‘Serious’ challenge from captain and coach

Gautam Gambhir is known for his outspoken and practical attitude. As a coach, Gautam Gambhir will have to ensure that Vaibhav is kept away from the hype of frontline media and social media. They have to be given an environment where they can play fearlessly, without the fear that they will be dropped from the team if they flop in a match. At the same time, Shreyas Iyer’s role as captain is also going to be very important. The current average age of the Indian T20 team should be between 25-28 years.

In such a situation, the captain will have to take the responsibility that 15-16 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi should not feel isolated in the team’s dressing room, he should be mentally prepared for every experience, good and bad. Apart from this, considering Vaibhav’s age, preparations will have to be made for proper workload management. So that Vaibhav can be protected from body injuries caused by excessive cricket.

The weight of expectations does not let the courage soar!

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the future of Indian cricket whose shine is attracting the whole world. He has the talent, the age and now he has the opportunity. The Asian Games 2026 and the upcoming foreign tours before that could prove to be the turning point of his career. But as sports lovers, it is our responsibility and Gambhir-Iyer’s responsibility as a management is to keep the childhood of this ‘Boss Baby’ alive.

Along with giving them a free environment for their game, they should also be given the freedom to make some mistakes on the field. In my opinion, these will be the mistakes which will move him on the path of becoming Sachin or Virat. For now, Vaibhav should only play cricket, he has his whole life to write history.

Also read- Vaibhav Suryavanshi has a chance to break the record of this Pakistani legend, 30 years old record in danger.

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