Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The Rising Star of IPL and U19 Cricket
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Journey to IPL Stardom
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener approaches, the spotlight is on Rajasthan Royals' young talent, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. His childhood coach, Manish Ojha, shared insights into the rigorous training that shaped the 15-year-old into a formidable six-hitting player. Suryavanshi, who recently celebrated his 15th birthday, made headlines last season with a remarkable 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans, earning the title of the youngest T20 centurion and the fastest Indian centurion in IPL history. His team is set to face the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in Guwahati on Monday.
A Passion for Attacking Cricket
In an interview on JioStar's 'TATA IPL: Dream On', Manish recounted Vaibhav's first visit to the academy in 2018, where his attacking style and impressive timing stood out. He noted that the left-handed batter was dedicated, often playing 400-500 balls in each session without taking breaks unless instructed. 'From the very beginning, it was evident that he had immense potential and a genuine love for cricket,' Manish remarked.
Ultra-Attacking Mindset
Manish highlighted that during the 2022 open net sessions, Vaibhav was given a 40-over batting slot, facing both new-ball bowlers and spinners. Despite advice to play more conservatively, Suryavanshi preferred to focus on lofted shots. 'I advised him to incorporate singles and doubles as he advances to U-16 and U-19 levels, where longer formats require patience. However, he would respond, 'If I can hit a six, why take a single?'
Impressing at IPL Trials
Discussing Suryavanshi's IPL trials, Manish mentioned that he was assigned specific targets to meet within a set number of balls, which he consistently achieved. For instance, he was tasked with scoring 18 runs in the first over and accomplished it in just three balls. After being advised to diversify his shot selection, he successfully adapted and hit big shots on the off-side as well.
U19 World Cup Glory
Reflecting on Vaibhav's performance in the ICC U19 World Cup, Manish noted that while he struggled to convert half-centuries into larger scores earlier in the tournament, he ultimately delivered when it mattered most. In the final against England, Suryavanshi scored an impressive 175 runs off 80 balls, including 15 fours and 15 sixes, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 439 runs in seven innings. 'I encouraged him to turn his promising starts into substantial scores, and he finally did so in the final, showcasing his talent when his team needed it most,' Manish concluded.