Gavaskar tempers rising expectations around young talents
As Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rapid rise continues to stir headlines, legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has issued a sharp reminder to temper expectations. Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar warned against drawing early conclusions about teenagers making waves in domestic and franchise tournaments, especially in the IPL.
Suryavanshi, just 14, has already captured national attention with explosive knocks for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, including a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans where he dismantled senior bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Rashid Khan. But Gavaskar stressed that raw talent alone cannot bridge the vast chasm between youth cricket and senior international competition.
“It is too early to call anybody a sensation, as time and again it has been seen that there is a huge gap between Under-19 cricket and first-class cricket, not to speak of international cricket,” he wrote, cautioning fans and selectors alike not to be swept up by early flashes of brilliance.
Reckless strokes and the IPL temptation
The U19 Asia Cup final defeat to Pakistan in December 2025 served as a reality check for the Indian colts. Several batters were dismissed while attempting aggressive shots under pressure. Gavaskar linked such lapses in judgment to the growing influence of IPL-style batting in youth cricket, where some players seem more focused on emulating franchise cricket intensity rather than building innings responsibly.
“Some of the batters playing IPL and those picked for this season’s IPL batted as if the opposition attack was nothing and tried to hit straightaway and lost their wickets,” he wrote, lamenting the tendency to swing early without assessing the conditions or bowlers.
Suryavanshi has continued to shine across formats, including his standout 190 off 84 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bihar, where he bettered AB de Villiers’ fastest 150 in List A cricket. He also impressed in Youth ODIs and earned a spot in India A’s Rising Stars Asia Cup squad. Still, Gavaskar believes guidance is more important than accolades at this stage.
Mentorship needed over media frenzy
Gavaskar strongly advocated for senior cricketers and mentors to play a more active role in shaping the mindset of this young group, especially as they juggle stardom and expectations.
“Yes, it’s a young group, inexperienced too and that’s why it’s important for a senior player and mentor to tell them that however ordinary the attack, one mistake can mean you are back in the dugout. Let’s hope that they forget thoughts of IPL and focus on the job at hand and that is to win the Trophy once again. Go for it youngsters,” he wrote, making it clear that long-term development must take precedence over short-term fame.
As India’s cricketing landscape continues to produce teenage prodigies, Gavaskar’s call is a timely reminder that patience, structure, and strong mentorship are just as vital as talent in shaping future champions.
