Carlos Brathwaite, a former West Indies cricketer, has advised a measured strategy for developing young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He suggests building the teenager’s skills progressively rather than hastening his entry into international play, particularly after his standout IPL showings.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo’s TimeOut program after Sooryavanshi’s rapid 37-ball century for Rajasthan Royals versus Sunrisers Hyderabad—his second in the IPL, scored in 36 deliveries—Brathwaite drew parallels to Brian Lara’s early career. He noted that Lara, recognized as an exceptional prospect, was groomed carefully by West Indies officials.
Brathwaite described how Lara trained with veterans like Viv Richards without immediate international exposure, benefiting from tour matches in that era to refine his abilities before debuting. He highlighted the successful outcome of Lara’s career as a model.
For Sooryavanshi, Brathwaite proposed integration into the Indian squad to absorb knowledge from stars such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav, alongside peers of similar age, avoiding premature high-stakes pressure.
Deep Dasgupta, a former Indian wicketkeeper, echoed the need for prudence, stressing the importance of fostering mental resilience alongside evident skill. He warned that promising players have faltered in the past and emphasized balancing technical prowess with psychological readiness.
Dasgupta acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s ability to counter elite bowlers but pointed out potential mental hurdles ahead. He praised the player’s progression from a debut season that might have seemed fleeting to a stronger second year, where he overcame targeted strategies from opponents, confirming his remarkable potential.
Brathwaite expressed optimism that Sooryavanshi could emerge as a key IPL figure, given India’s vast population and the league’s role in spotlighting young stars. He described the 15-year-old’s abilities as extraordinary and encouraged fans to savor his performances.
Sooryavanshi has amassed 357 runs across seven IPL 2026 matches, boasting a strike rate of 234.86. He briefly led the run-scorers before being overtaken by Abhishek Sharma.
(This report is from a syndicated source and has not been altered by NDTV staff, except for the title.)
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