New Delhi. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the talk of the town after his remarkable century in the IPL. The cricketing community is full of praise for this 14-year-old budding batsman, who is poised to make his mark in world cricket at such a young age. However, former Team India coach Greg Chappell has issued a cautionary note to the Indian Cricket Board regarding the proper management of this young talent. He has urged the BCCI to treat Vaibhav Suryavanshi with the same care that was afforded to legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Chappell is concerned that if not handled well, Vaibhav’s future could mirror that of Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw, who faced difficulties in their careers. Notably, Vaibhav made history by scoring a century in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans in his third IPL match, earning him the title of the fastest century by an Indian batter in the tournament.
Greg Chappell fears that if exceptional talents like Vaibhav are not nurtured appropriately, their careers may falter, similar to the experiences of former Indian opener Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw. Kambli was once regarded as a cricketer with immense potential, often compared to Sachin, but he lost his way amidst fame, leading to a decline in his career. A similar situation occurred with Prithvi Shaw, who was part of the victorious Under-19 World Cup squad in 2018. Despite a strong start in international cricket, he too found himself off track and ultimately out of the team.
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Greg Chappell’s Concerns
In his column for ESPN Crick Info, Greg Chappell expressed, “Sachin Tendulkar achieved success not only due to his talent in his youth but also because of a robust support system. His composed demeanor, a wise coach, and a family that shielded him from the distractions of fame were crucial. On the contrary, Vinod Kambli, despite having similar or perhaps greater talent, struggled to maintain a balance between fame and discipline. His decline was as spectacular as his rise. Prithvi Shaw is another prodigious talent who faced a swift downturn, though he still has the potential to find his way back to the top.”
Rajasthan Royals Acquires Vaibhav for Rs 1.1 Crore
Vaibhav Suryavanshi was signed by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore during the IPL mega auction and got his chance to debut after Sanju Samson, the captain, was injured in the 2025 season. Recently, he was dismissed for a duck by Mumbai Indians’ fast bowler Deepak Chahar, making him the sixth player overall to be dismissed for zero in the following innings after scoring a century.
‘Talent Cannot Be Hidden’
Greg Chappell emphasized, “The cricketing ecosystem, including the BCCI, franchises, mentors, and the media, have a responsibility to support Vaibhav Suryavanshi. While talent cannot be concealed, it can certainly be provided with protection. It should be guided appropriately, rather than being excessively glorified. Observing Vaibhav’s talent, fans are eager to see him represent Team India soon, especially since this is his first time playing in the IPL.”
