AB De Villiers Encourages Young Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Explore All Formats of Cricket
AB De Villiers Discusses Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Future in Cricket
London [UK], May 13: Former South African cricket star AB De Villiers has expressed that engaging in both ODI and Test formats will enable 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals (RR) sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to explore a new dimension of his cricketing abilities, both mentally and physically. However, he cautioned that the journey ahead may be challenging for the young player.
Sooryavanshi has impressed fans and experts alike with his bold batting style during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, accumulating 440 runs in 11 innings, boasting an average of 40.00 and an astonishing strike rate of 236.55, which includes two centuries and two half-centuries.
His remarkable performances against elite bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in the Indian T20I squad.
Despite his IPL success, Sooryavanshi's first-class statistics are less impressive, with only 207 runs in eight matches at an average of 17.25, including just one fifty.
In a recent episode of the podcast 'For The Love of Cricket,' hosted by England's legendary fast bowler Stuart Broad, De Villiers acknowledged Sooryavanshi's extraordinary talent but emphasized that he is yet to grasp the challenges that Test cricket presents. He suggested that unless guided to specialize in T20, the young batter might face significant adjustments in his game.
De Villiers stated, "I am uncertain about how he will adapt in the long run. His talent at such a young age is remarkable, but I would love to see him compete in various formats. He is not yet aware of what Test cricket entails, and many aspects of his game will evolve unless a capable manager advises him to focus solely on T20. If he commits to that, it could lead to a lengthy and fruitful career."
He further encouraged Sooryavanshi to participate in ODIs and especially Test matches to broaden his cricketing experience. "If he begins to engage with ODIs and, more importantly, Test cricket, he will uncover an entirely different facet of his game, both mentally and physically. He undoubtedly possesses the talent to navigate any challenges that arise, but the path will be tough, and it won't be smooth sailing. I hope he chooses to pursue Test cricket for his nation," De Villiers remarked.
In the recent U19 World Cup, Sooryavanshi was the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 439 runs in seven matches with an impressive average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49, including a century and three fifties. He also set a record with 30 sixes in the tournament, surpassing the previous record of 18 sixes held by South Africa's Dewald Brevis in the 2022 edition. Additionally, he is India's leading run-scorer in U19 ODIs, with 1,412 runs in 25 innings at an average of 56.48 and a strike rate exceeding 165, featuring four centuries and seven fifties.
The 15-year-old has excelled in limited-overs formats, scoring 1,105 runs in 28 T20 matches at an average of 40.92 and a strike rate of 215.39, which includes four centuries and three fifties, with a top score of 144. He has also made a mark in List-A cricket, accumulating 353 runs in eight innings at an average of 44.12 and a strike rate of 164.95, including a century and a fifty, with a best score of 190.