World cricket has up to now seen solely three 14-year-olds make their debuts in worldwide cricket: Pakistan’s Hasan Raza in 1996, Kuwait’s Meet Bhavsar in 2019, and Sierra Leone’s George Sesay in 2021. Manish Ojha, the childhood coach of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, believes India can also be prepared for a 14-year-old debutant.
Talking to IndiaToday.in, Manish backed Vaibhav, aged 14 years and 263 days, for a senior nationwide group debut sooner somewhat than later.
“For my part, he is completely prepared, no less than for the Indian T20 group,” Manish stated confidently, a day after Vaibhav smashed 171 in opposition to the UAE in a U19 World Cup match in Dubai.
It was his sixth hundred in 2025 and his second in a serious age-group event. He already has centuries in a Youth Take a look at and a Youth ODI, and have become the youngest participant in Indian Premier League historical past to attain 100 when he reached the milestone in simply 36 balls — solely six deliveries slower than Chris Gayle’s all-time document.
How lengthy can a expertise like Vaibhav Suryavanshi be refrained from the nationwide group? How quickly is just too quickly? Is he prepared for the large leap? Historical past gives warning — many gamers have sparkled on the age-group stage, however solely a handful have carried that promise to the best stage.
“Take a look at the IPL — most bowlers he confronted had been worldwide bowlers, and the remainder had been prime home bowlers. He was executing his photographs fantastically in opposition to them,” Manish stated.
“It is as much as the BCCI to determine, however in my opinion, he is prepared for T20Is and even ODIs. Given the best way he is taking part in, he ought to be given an opportunity sooner somewhat than later. It will be a document for India and an enormous encouragement for a younger participant.”
‘DON’T WORRY, HE WILL HANDLE PRESSURE’
Vaibhav has checked out ease on a few of the greatest levels, together with the IPL. Making his debut for Rajasthan Royals at 14, after securing an IPL contract at 13 in final 12 months’s mega public sale, Vaibhav scored 252 runs in seven matches at a strike price of over 200. Initially, Rajasthan Royals had been reluctant to decide to taking part in a 14-year-old of their XI, however as soon as they handed him a debut, backing him absolutely grew to become the one choice. Vaibhav completed the season strongly, cementing his place on the prime of the order.
His childhood coach, who noticed him hitting 90-metre sixes as a 10-year-old, is assured that the stress of worldwide cricket won’t overwhelm the teen.
“He’ll deal with it simply. He was a part of the Rising Stars Asia Cup, and even there, he stood out. He performed with some established India stars within the group led by Jitesh Sharma, however did not he stand out?”
“Within the IPL, he performed in entrance of huge crowds, as loud and intense as any India match. However he performed usually, caught to his recreation, and did not present hesitation, nervousness or nervousness. He was utterly calm.
“I am 100% certain he’ll deal with the stress on the worldwide stage as properly,” Manish stated.
At 14, Vaibhav is already closing in on 1,000 T20 runs. He has additionally made a brilliant begin in red-ball cricket. After impressing in opposition to a visiting Australian aspect in a Youth Take a look at in Chennai earlier this 12 months, Vaibhav adopted it up with a rating of 93 in opposition to Meghalaya in a Ranji Trophy match in November.
In his maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match for Bihar, in opposition to Maharashtra on December 2, Vaibhav lit up Eden Gardens with a century.
Vaibhav has been juggling between his state aspect and India’s Underneath-19 and India A assignments, and the quantity of matches at such a younger age has helped him mature as a batter, his coach stated, whereas thanking the board for its continued backing.
“Not precisely after the IPL, however I’ve seen it just lately. If you happen to take a look at the Asia Cup match in opposition to the UAE, he wasn’t attempting to hit each ball. He was deciding on his photographs fastidiously. Many balls that he would have been tempted to hit throughout the IPL, he did not even strive at present. He simply took singles and performed very comfortably,” Manish stated.
“His maturity stage has elevated.
“In observe periods, I used to inform him lots in regards to the significance of taking ones and twos. However he was centered on hitting boundaries. His mindset was, ‘If I can hit a six, why take a single?’
“Now he is including a brand new dimension: when the group requires it, particularly in longer codecs, he is attempting to remain on the crease and construct massive scores.”
THE RAHUL DRAVID IMPACT
The urge for food for large runs is clearly evident, however how is he coping with the highlight? Make no mistake, your complete nation tunes in to look at Vaibhav wherever he’s taking part in, anticipating massive performances.
At 14, Vaibhav has a superb help system to lean on. Whereas his childhood coach stays a powerful sounding board, the time he spent with Rahul Dravid throughout his maiden IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals earlier this 12 months has additionally performed a vital position.
“When he initially signed with Rajasthan Royals and observe periods began, Rahul Dravid recommended him earlier than the primary session,” Manish revealed.
“He spoke about learn how to deal with himself, learn how to preserve distance from the media, and never get entangled in glamour. He spoke about growing his recreation and staying centered.
“Once we speak to him, we inform him one factor: preserve distance from all this consideration and focus in your recreation. All the pieces else is a byproduct of efficiency. If you happen to do not rating runs, no person asks about you. If you happen to rating runs, all the things else follows.”
Whereas an India call-up doesn’t seem distant, Vaibhav is presently centered on the U19 Asia Cup. Early subsequent 12 months, he might be a part of the Ayush Mhatre-led Indian aspect on the U19 World Cup, after which he’ll return to Rajasthan Royals for the IPL.
For Vaibhav, the subsequent step feels much less like a query of if and extra a matter of when.
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