Former Coach Raman Sounds Alarm on Young Batting Prodigy
WV Raman, the former head coach of India's women's cricket team, has issued a strong warning about the handling of 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Raman believes pushing the youngster too hard at the Under-19 level could actually work against his long-term development. He stresses that everyone involved must keep the bigger picture firmly in mind.
India Starts U-19 World Cup with Victory
Raman made his comments on the very same day India launched their Under-19 World Cup campaign with a win. The team, led by captain Ayush Mhatre, defeated the USA by six wickets using the DLS method. Rain interruptions at the Queens Sport Club in Bulawayo could not stop India from taking a 1–0 lead in Group B.
Sooryavanshi's Meteoric Rise in Cricket
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the most discussed names in Indian cricket over the past year. The left-handed batsman made his IPL debut for the Rajasthan Royals last season. He created history by becoming the youngest Indian ever to score a century in the tournament.
His scoring spree continued impressively during tours of Australia, England, and South Africa. These consistent performances earned him a call-up to the India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup. Many experts see him as a key player for India in the ongoing U-19 World Cup.
However, Raman feels the context of Sooryavanshi's rapid ascent requires very careful consideration. The coach worries about the potential pitfalls of such early exposure at a high-pressure level.
Raman's Direct Warning on Social Media
WV Raman took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share his concerns publicly. He acknowledged his view might be unpopular but stood by his assessment.
"This could be an unpopular opinion," Raman wrote. "Suryavanshi has performed extremely well in the A series and the IPL. Making him play at the U-19 level is likely to be detrimental to his growth. He may win matches no doubt, but it should always be about the big picture."
A Quiet Start for the Young Star in the Tournament
On the field, Sooryavanshi's tournament began quietly. Facing the USA, his innings lasted just four deliveries. He charged down the track attempting a big shot on the leg side, only to see his stumps knocked over. He departed for a score of two runs.
This was a subdued start for a player who entered the competition in excellent form. Just before the World Cup, he smashed a brilliant 96 runs off only 50 balls against Scotland in India's first warm-up game.
Team India Secures Win Despite Challenges
India managed to secure victory in the rain-affected match against the USA. Bowler Henil Patel starred with an impressive five-wicket haul. His efforts helped bowl out the USA for a total of 107 runs in 36 overs.
Sooryavanshi also contributed with the ball, taking the final wicket of USA batsman Nitish Sudini. During the chase, Abhigyan Kundu played a crucial unbeaten innings of 42 runs. Kanishk Chouhan provided steady support with 18 not out, guiding India to a comfortable victory.
Looking Ahead in the Tournament
India's next challenge in the U-19 World Cup is a match against Bangladesh this Saturday. The team will then wrap up their group-stage campaign against New Zealand on January 24. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to remain a central figure as the tournament progresses, despite the cautionary advice from experienced voices like WV Raman.
The debate highlights the ongoing tension in sports between immediate success and nurturing talent for a long, sustainable career. Raman's intervention serves as a reminder that protecting young athletes is as important as celebrating their early achievements.
