Jaipur, April 29 – Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour hailed young Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a special talent, expressing confidence that if he maintains his focus, he could serve Indian cricket for many years. Suryavanshi, at just 14 years and 32 days old, became the youngest centurion in Indian Premier League (IPL) history after scoring a blistering 101 runs off 38 balls on Monday.
The left-handed batsman dazzled with a stunning display against seasoned international bowlers such as Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Karim Janat. Suryavanshi smashed 11 sixes and seven fours, playing a key role in Rajasthan Royals’ eight-wicket victory.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Rathour said that the team had seen glimpses of Suryavanshi’s capabilities in the nets over the past few months. As per agency report, he praised the youngster for delivering such a remarkable performance under pressure against a strong bowling attack in a packed stadium.
Rathour emphasized that Suryavanshi’s technique and shot selection were impressive, and Monday’s innings showcased his immense batting potential. He noted that discovering Suryavanshi four months ago during trials had made it clear that they had found someone special, and the responsibility now lies in nurturing his talent carefully.
He expressed optimism about Suryavanshi’s future, stating that if the youngster continues to work hard and stay grounded, he has the potential to represent India at the highest level for a long time. However, Rathour cautioned against premature comparisons with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut for India at the age of 16, calling it inappropriate to burden a young player with such expectations.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans' batsman Sai Sudharsan also praised Suryavanshi’s outstanding knock. He acknowledged that while they had initially thought they had set a challenging total, Suryavanshi’s explosive start and fearless batting proved them wrong and suggested they could have aimed for an even higher score.
Suryavanshi’s incredible performance has not only set a new IPL milestone but has also sparked hopes for the emergence of a future star in Indian cricket.
