'Vaibhav Suryavanshi will play for India in 2 years': Coach's bold prediction

Time of India

23-05-2025

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI)
NEW DELHI:
Rajasthan Royals
' IPL 2025 campaign may have been one to forget, but it unearthed a bright future prospect in 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The teenager turned heads with his elegant stroke-play and powerful six-hitting, amassing 252 runs from just seven innings.
With his blazing 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans and a composed half-century against Chennai Super Kings still fresh in the minds of fans and experts, Suryavanshi's next major test awaits — representing India on their multi-format U19 tour of England in June-July.
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Ashok Kumar, who coached Suryavanshi at the Bihar U19 and senior men's teams, believes the youngster has what it takes to be fast-tracked into the senior T20I setup within two years — provided he focuses on fitness and fielding.
"That attitude of making the team win single-handedly since childhood was seen during his 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans too. With Rahul Dravid sir and Vikram Rathour sir there, it has enhanced his batting. The practice he did with the white ball, he started getting better at it in three months. He has learnt to read the situations well.
"So, all these things show the bright future this kid has. My prediction is, if Vaibhav improves his fitness and his fielding, then in the next 2 years, he will be in the senior T20 Indian team.
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I really think the BCCI will give him a chance, as barring two to four players, rest of them in the T20I team are majorly 25 or below years old,' Kumar told IANS on Friday.
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India U19 will face England U19 in a 50-over warm-up match, followed by a five-match one-day series and two multi-day games — a tough assignment that will also serve as Suryavanshi's initiation into challenging English conditions and form part of India's build-up to the 2026 U19 Men's World Cup.
"Vaibhav will do well on the U19 tour of England, considering the touch and confidence he's in right now. He will do much better on the tour of England, as the performances one saw in the IPL, it's just a glimpse into what he can do. From whatever I have seen of him right from Bihar U19 days, this is the exact way he plays.
"The way he adapts to the situation so quickly sets him apart from others. A lot of people would say that Vaibhav is an aggressive player – but this is the way he has played since childhood.
His intent, style of play and attitude will remain the same in coming matches,' added Kumar.
Throughout IPL 2025, one of Suryavanshi's pre-match rituals was to have conversations with Kumar. The coach is particularly impressed with how mentally sharp the youngster has become.
'There were no such questions on his technique, but the way he's evolved mentally has been amazing to witness. From the conversations I had with him during the IPL, he has become mentally stronger than before.
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'The way he talks now, he has become stronger than ever before. His determination has increased as he now says constantly 'Sir, mei India khel ke hi rahunga' (I will play for India at any cost). So, we feel very proud that such a kid has come from Bihar.
"As a result of everyone supporting him, he got in the U19 India team for Australia series (where he hit a 58-ball century), then he was there in the U19 Asia Cup for India, and is now selected for England tour.
When he returns from there, I won't be surprised if his name is mentioned for Duleep and Deodhar Trophies,' he elaborated.
Suryavanshi once again displayed maturity beyond his years during RR's game against CSK at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He began cautiously, scoring 12 off his first 10 balls, before shifting gears to complete a composed fifty. Kumar revealed the strategy they discussed before the match.
'Before leaving for the game against CSK, my only advice to Vaibhav was to play with a little patience, and be more selective with the shots, because the balls he was out on in last three matches, he himself said, 'Sir, I chose the wrong shot'.
I reminded him that you can win matches alone and Vaibhav replied with 'Karenge na, sir (I will do it)," he revealed.
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"When he was out on Ashwin's ball, this discussion had already taken place that where can Ashwin put the ball – either fuller, outside off-stump, and with drift. So if Vaibhav had hit it straight in front, like he hit Jadeja, then he would not have been out," added Kumar.
After the game — which RR won by six wickets — Suryavanshi was seen touching MS Dhoni's feet in a gesture of deep respect. Kumar wasn't surprised.
'He does not delay in taking blessings of anyone senior on the field. The more blessings he gets, the better it is for him and his future.'
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