Rahul Dravid, head coach of Rajasthan Royals and a veteran in nurturing young talent, addressed the challenges that come with managing a player as young and talented as Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm after becoming the youngest player to score a century in IPL history. In just his third game for Rajasthan Royals, the 14-year-old left-handed opener smashed a whirlwind 100 off only 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, leaving fans, pundits, and former cricketers stunned.
Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise has become a major talking point, but it has also triggered serious conversations around how Indian cricket should manage such prodigious young talent. There is growing consensus that the attention and adulation surrounding him should not overshadow the structured work and mentoring required to shape him into a long-term asset for Indian cricket.
Rahul Dravid, head coach of Rajasthan Royals and a veteran in nurturing young talent, addressed the challenges that come with managing a player as young and talented as Suryavanshi. Speaking on the Star Sports Press Room show, Dravid was candid about the excitement and concerns that surround the teenage sensation’s future.
“What can we do for Vaibhav? I think it’s going to be challenging. Right from this very interview, every single question I’ve been asked has been about Vaibhav. It’s exactly the thoughts that are on top of my head — this is going to be challenging for him and for the kid,” Dravid said. He added, “But it’s also exciting. I think it’s going to be exciting as well as it’s going to be challenging. I would love to say that maybe we shouldn’t shower him with too much attention and focus, but maybe I’m being naïve. Maybe I’m not being realistic because it’s bound to happen.”
Dravid, who has played a central role in mentoring players like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Washington Sundar, emphasised the need to create a robust support system around Suryavanshi to help him handle the pressure and expectations that come with instant stardom.
“Maybe it’s just a question of putting a bit of a support system around him and trying to help him navigate that as best as he possibly can. Because, as I can see here, all I’ve heard is questions only about Vaibhav,” he remarked.
The Indian cricketing ecosystem has seen several teenage prodigies rise to prominence only to fade away due to lack of guidance, support, or mental conditioning. Dravid’s experience, both at the grassroots and the international level, makes his views particularly valuable. His tenure as India U19, A team, and senior team coach, as well as his leadership at the National Cricket Academy, has seen him shape the careers of several young stars who are now integral parts of the Indian setup.
With Suryavanshi’s performance setting a new benchmark in IPL history, the pressure to manage his talent wisely has never been greater. Many believe his development must be prioritised through proper mentorship and careful exposure, especially considering his age and the spotlight that now follows him.
Meanwhile, Dravid also addressed the Rajasthan Royals’ current IPL 2025 campaign. With the team placed eighth on the points table, RR must win all of their remaining four matches to stay in contention for the playoffs. The team’s next match is against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on May 1.
“In terms of this thing, I think we recognize that we are – by losing a few close games – a bit lower down in the table. So we are really focusing on taking it just one game at a time, and not looking too far ahead,” Dravid said. He added that the gap between teams this season is very narrow, and upsets have been common. “Even teams which are finished lower down at seventh, eighth and ninth can easily beat some of the top two or three teams. The margins have been really small, the teams are really tight,” he observed.
“If the rub of the green goes your way, you can have a bit of a run and if it doesn’t, you can slide back very quickly. We have to take it one game at a time. We know we have to try and win every single game, but it starts by trying to win the next one,” he concluded.
Catch Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians at 7:30 PM on May 01, live and exclusive on JioCinema and Star Sports Network.
