The spotlight has followed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wherever he goes and at just 14, that light is already intense. During the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe, the young batter once again found himself at the center of discussion, not because of a match-winning performance but for a strong opinion from former India cricketer WV Raman that has divided voices across Indian cricket.
Raman believes that continuing to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the Under-19 level may actually slow his development rather than helping it. According to him, the teenager has already shown enough at higher platforms and should be guided with a long-term vision in mind rather than being held back by age-group cricket, even if that level offers immediate success.
WV Raman took to X and wrote, “This could be an unpopular opinion. #Suryavanshi has performed extremely well in the A series and the IPL. Making him play at the U-19 level is likely to be detrimental to his growth. He may win matches no doubt, but it should be always be about the big picture! #indiancricket”
https://x.com/wvraman/status/2011828015899295812
The comments surfaced after India’s opening World Cup match against the USA, which they won comfortably under the DLS method. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a mixed outing. He chipped in with a wicket using his part-time spin in the first innings but struggled with the bat, scoring just two runs before being bowled while attempting an aggressive shot. It was a reminder that even prodigies have off days.
WV Raman’s view has raised an obvious question – if not Under-19 cricket, then where should Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be playing? The teenager has already crossed milestones most players only dream of. He has represented Bihar in domestic cricket across formats, featured in senior tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and played for India A in multi-nation competitions such as the Rising Stars Asia Cup. His exposure to elite cricket is already rare for someone his age.
If he were to be pulled out of the Under-19 World Cup, however, his calendar would look surprisingly empty. Bihar are no longer part of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy season, meaning his next competitive outing would likely be the IPL in March.
Some have even suggested fast-tracking him straight into the senior national setup, with inevitable comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar, comparisons only amplified by his stunning IPL century against Gujarat Titans last year. Still, such a leap appears unlikely given India’s depth at the top of the order and the need to protect a young player still learning to navigate the pressures of elite cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s recent uneven form underlines a simple truth. Talent alone is not enough. At 14, he is still growing, still learning and still finding his place. His journey will require patience, not just from him but from everyone eager to see him become the future of Indian cricket.
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