Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A Rising Star in IPL Needs Strategic Mentorship
Mentorship for a Young Talent
In a recent discussion, Carlos Brathwaite emphasized the importance of mentoring 15-year-old Indian cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, drawing parallels to the early career of West Indies great Brian Lara. Sooryavanshi, who plays for Rajasthan Royals (RR), showcased his extraordinary talent during an IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he scored a remarkable 103 runs off just 37 balls, including five fours and twelve sixes, achieving a strike rate of 278.38. This performance made him the youngest and fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in T20 cricket.
Despite RR's loss to SRH, Sooryavanshi's innings highlighted his immense potential. Following the match, Brathwaite shared insights on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut show, suggesting that Sooryavanshi should be nurtured similarly to how Lara was, by training alongside seasoned players like Vivian Richards before stepping onto the international stage.
Brathwaite noted, "I apologize, Vaibhav, but if you look at how West Indies handled Brian Lara… he was a generational talent, everyone knew. They integrated him with Viv Richards and others, allowing him to learn without rushing into international play. His career flourished after that."
He proposed a balanced approach for Sooryavanshi, recommending that he remain close to the Indian team to absorb knowledge from senior players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav, as well as peers his age, rather than being thrust directly into international competition.
Former Indian cricketer and commentator Deep Dasgupta also weighed in, acknowledging Sooryavanshi's technical prowess but expressing concerns about his mental readiness for the pressures of international cricket. He cautioned that many young talents can falter if not properly supported, emphasizing the need for a careful approach to ensure Sooryavanshi is mentally equipped before making his debut.
Dasgupta remarked, "We've seen some really good talents go a little bit awry. While it's understandable to want him in the Indian side, we must consider both technical and mental readiness. Technically, he's proven himself against top bowlers, but the mental aspect is crucial. He will face challenges, and we need to be cautious in how we manage his transition."
Currently, Sooryavanshi ranks as the third-highest run-scorer in the IPL 2026 season, amassing 357 runs in eight innings at an impressive strike rate of 234.87.