In the Indian Premier League, emerging batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been turning heads with his daring approach, earning compliments from figures like Kieron Pollard. Before a recent game, Pollard shared his thoughts, noting his own experiences at that age while highlighting the excitement of Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise. ‘When I was 15, I was still attending school and participating in local cricket matches,’ Pollard said to journalists. ‘It’s thrilling to watch a young player make such an impact globally. He’s leveraging his energy and inexperience effectively, and I hope that persists for him and for cricket in India.’ Pollard emphasized the value of nurturing talent consistently, pointing out how quickly admiration can fade. He advised against jumping on the popularity train during successes only to abandon the player during setbacks. ‘India keeps producing skilled players, and we must keep motivating them,’ he stated. ‘My main concern, from my time as a player, is that we embrace the excitement but then discard someone after a few poor performances when opponents adapt. We shouldn’t chase trends and forget about them later. He’s a promising athlete performing well, and may that success endure.’ Additionally, Pollard discussed the role of seasoned athletes in the sport, particularly with icons like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remaining active. He encouraged appreciating veterans and letting them choose their retirement timing. ‘People have various reasons for extending their careers,’ he noted. ‘MS Dhoni continues at 44, and I’m still competing internationally at 39. These individuals have contributed immensely to cricket, yet we often focus solely on their age. We ought to respect them and allow them to determine when to retire.’
