VVS Laxman Explains Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Still Has Room to Grow After Match-Winning Series

India head coach VVS Laxman has praised the teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lavishly after his brilliant knock of 81 runs off 49 balls in India’s third T20I win against Zimbabwe on Sunday. The 15-year-old opener played a match-winning innings and helped India clinch the series as well as bagged the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards in Harare.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played an audacious innings in the third T20I match. The fearless approach of the teenage prodigy has earned him accolades from the team management. Nevertheless, Laxman mentioned that young Sooryavanshi has one thing that he needs to work on. It is his fitness, which the coach says needs to be monitored, even though Vaibhav is playing astonishing cricket for the country.

VVS Laxman reveals BCCI’s long-term plan and highlights fitness focus for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Speaking at the post-match media interaction, Laxman revealed that they first kept an eye on Sooryavanshi nearly two and a half years ago, right before the Under-19 World Cup in 2024. The youngster made his impression in a quadrangular tournament in Vijayawada and stood among the leading run-scorers for India B, which led the BCCI to add him to their radar.

“I think we know Vaibhav very well. It was, I think, two and a half years ago that we first started keeping an eye on him, and he was in the quadrangular tournament in Vijayawada, and he was amongst the leading run-scorers for India B,” said Laxman.

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“Ever since, he has been in various camps at the COE (Cricketers’ Cumulative Experience), and he has been the highest run-getter in the U-19 World Cup. So we know him in and out. It is not only the game, but we know the person. That is, when you know the person, really, from his point of view, what works for him, and how do we prepare him so that he is in the best frame of mind when he goes out to play is something we, as a support system, try to do.”

Laxman was full of praise for Sooryavanshi’s progress both as a cricketer and a person. According to the coach, the opening sensation’s increased maturity and awareness during the game have allowed him to perform better under pressure against high-quality opponents in the last six months.

“But what is also important is his evolution as a person. The maturity level, the understanding, and the awareness over the last six months have skyrocketed, and that is why he has been able to handle some really difficult situations. And he has been able to play under pressure against the best players in the world,” he added.

However, Laxman reminded reporters that Sooryavanshi must work on his fitness if he wants to take his game to the next level. After all, the young opener turned out to be 15 years old during the match.

“One of the things in which we want him to improve is his overall fitness. We also have to keep in mind that he is still a very young man. He is only 15 years old,” said the coach.

Laxman also noted Sooryavanshi’s desire to improve his skills and become a more complete player. For example, the youngster asked the physiotherapist to let him stay on the sidelines despite an injury to his hand.

“He himself wants to get better in all aspects of the game. You saw even in the game that he was really keen to be on the field and play. Even though he got injured, he wanted to play, but our physio asked him to leave the game. So this is his eagerness and earnestness that he has to give 100 percent in whatever he does for the team. That is why I have said this,” concluded Laxman.