The hype around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is growing rapidly, with many already comparing the teenage sensation to football prodigy Lamine Yamal. While there is no doubt that the 15-year-old possesses extraordinary talent, the frenzy around him risks overlooking a crucial fact — he has played only eight first-class matches in more than two years, averaging just 17.25 with only one fifty to his name. The concern is that excessive praise at such an early stage could distract him from the long-term demands of the sport.
Several legendary Indian cricketers, from Sachin Tendulkar to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, have repeatedly described Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game. T20 cricket may bring glamour and instant fame, but red-ball cricket remains the true measure of a player’s technique, temperament and longevity. Critics argue that modern cricket’s obsession with T20 performances is overshadowing the importance of developing complete cricketers through the longer format.
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“Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Must Prioritise Test Cricket Early”
Examples such as Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma are often cited as cautionary tales. Despite tremendous T20 success, both struggled to establish themselves consistently in Tests and ODIs. Experts believe that without regular exposure to red-ball cricket, players may find it difficult to build the technical foundation needed for sustained success once opposition teams decode their aggressive white-ball approach.
The larger fear surrounding Sooryavanshi is that constant T20-centric attention may pull him away from prioritising Test cricket altogether. Observers believe the responsibility now lies with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, former players and even the public to ensure the youngster remains grounded. To achieve the kind of lasting legacy enjoyed by icons like Jasprit Bumrah, Kohli and Tendulkar, experts insist he must evolve into an all-format cricketer rather than becoming just another short-lived T20 sensation.
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