Teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi had long signalled his batting intent before exploding onto the world stage. This week, the 14-year-old showed off his mercurial talent by hammering a 35-ball century for the Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
It was the quickest ever ton in the competition and included 11 sixes and seven fours. Suryavanshi was already an IPL record breaker after becoming the youngest player to be signed at the tournament auction, with the £105,000 fee paid by the Royals now looking a bargain. Indeed, Suryavanshi’s former coach has given insight into the star’s attitude when he started in first-class cricket in Bihar.
Talking about one of Suryavanshi’s first net sessions, Manish Ojha said: “Vaibhav was hitting sixes and fours off almost every ball. After the session, I said: ‘Vaibhav, why are you only hitting boundaries? The state matches are a four-day format and we will need you to take more singles.”
However, Suryavanshi wasn’t fazed by his mentor’s warning. Ojah revealed the left-hander replied with: “Sir, if I can hit a ball for six, why would I take a single off it?”
The coach said that was the moment he knew the star was ready for the “next level.” He took this philosophy into his debut in the world’s leading T20 franchise event, clearing the ropes off his first ball on debut against the Lucknow Super Giants.
He’s already being tipped to shatter all kinds of records at the international level. On Wednesday, ex-England captain Nasser Hussain claimed that not even a young Sachin Tendulkar was as talented with the bat.
Former Indian skipper and coach Rahul Dravid has also lavished praise, saying: “He’s only going to develop and he’s only going to get better. He’s an exceptionally talented young player who is working hard on his skills and abilities, but he’s going to have to keep improving.”
Suryavanshi has already proven his worth to his country at under-19 level. Ahead of the IPL auction last November, he blasted a scintillating 58-ball century in a youth Test against Australia in Chennai.
