Sooryavanshi needs careful nurturing, not hype

India’s cricketing folklore is dotted with premature flashes of brilliance that were either dulled by mis management or overwhelmed by the weight of expectation. Alimuddin, who debuted in first-class cricket at the tender age of 12 years and 73 days, remains a footnote in history – his early promise never material ising into sustained excellence.

Decades later, Vinod Kambli emerged as a flamboyant southpaw, whose be ginnings rivalled, if not outshone, those of Sachin Ten dulkar. But while the latter ascended to immortal great ness, Kambli’s light was tragically dimmed by personal struggles, including an oft-cited descent into alcohol. Cricket has, more than once, witnessed how prodigious beginnings can wither into anonymity or regret when left unguided.

The rise of 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must therefore be read with both admiration and apprehen sion.

In November 2024, he became the youngest ever to sign an Indian Premier League contract, purchased by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore at the age of just 13. And on 28 April this year, he etched his name into record books again – blazing a 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans to become the youngest centurion in IPL history.

What’s more, he reached the century in just 35 balls, making it the second-fastest century in IPL history be hind Chris Gayle (30 balls), and the fastest by an Indian. He also matched Murali Vijay’s record of 11 sixes in an IPL innings, and set benchmarks hitherto unimagined for someone barely into adolescence.

The adulation has followed suit. Two young girls drove six hours merely to catch a glimpse of him playing in India’s U-19 tour of England. Social media is awash with reels, stats and breathless praise. But it is precisely this romanticisation of early genius that must raise alarms. Cricketing talent, especially in someone as young as Sooryavanshi, is as delicate as it is dazzling.

If not pre served with care, it is liable to become a casualty of overexposure and exhaustion. The Board of Control for Cricket in India must assume a proactive role in safeguarding Sooryavanshi’s future. This involves more than physical workload management – it is about crafting a pathway that balances ex cellence with sustainability.

A phased progression into senior cricket is essential. Let Sooryavanshi first flourish at the U-19 and India A levels before being ushered into the national team. Selective tournament participation must also be enforced, ensuring he gains experience in high-quality environments without excessive travel or media attention.

Equally critical is a robust support ecosystem. Men torship from retired cricketers and senior professionals, family involvement in key decisions, and regular sports science interventions – ranging from fitness assess ments to dietary regimes are vital. The psychologi cal dimensions cannot be overlooked either.

Access to mental health professionals, coupled with media train ing and a conscious effort to limit public appearances, would serve as crucial buffers against the pressures of early fame. Genius, when prematurely overexploited, is often lost to history. The goal must not be to turn Soory avanshi into a spectacle, but into a stalwart.

With care ful stewardship, India need not mourn another “what could have been”, but instead, celebrate a long and luminous career.