Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is one of the most eagerly awaited young names in Indian cricket and now the Board of Control for Cricket in India is taking care of his progress for his development. The teenage batter has already received considerable attention for his performances and rapid rise in the game but the BCCI now wants to look beyond immediate success and look towards his development for the long term.
The future of the young cricketer was talked about at a high level BCCI review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday. The board’s approach towards Sooryavanshi is to provide talented youngsters with the right environment and support to develop into long-serving international players, said BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia.
Saikia said that the BCCI does not want to see young talent spend a short time in the limelight and disappear from the international stage entirely after it is out of the limelight. The board is monitoring their development and making sure they progress through the right stages of their cricketing careers, he said.
Saikia stressed longevity when he discussed Sooryavanshi’s future. The board hopes talented young players will go on to represent India for many years, he said, and that the top cricketers of the country will do so.
"The board wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or any player like him to play for the country for a long time, just like Sachin Tendulkar and other greats did,” Saikia said of how important the youngster’s development needs to be taken seriously.
The high level meetings included India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman. The discussion was on Indian cricket and the long term development of players, and Sooryavanshi’s name is prominent in the discussion on the next generation of Indian players.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was absent from the meeting and did not participate virtually. But the presence of senior figures from the Indian cricket setup underlined the importance being paid to planning for the future.
BCCI’s strategy is not limited to Sooryavanshi alone. The board is also keeping track of around 10 to 15 players of a similar age group through the Centre of Excellence, Saikia said. The development of the young cricketers is monitored for their skills, training and overall progress.
VVS Laxman will also be involved in monitoring the development of emerging players. The Centre of Excellence has come to be a key part of India’s cricket structure; it identifies the talent to be developed and provides young players with the guidance needed as they move on to higher levels of the game.
Sooryavanshi too could have a big role to play in the coming weeks. He is a member of India’s team for the three-match T20I series with Afghanistan which starts on September 13. This series will be his first and potentially the start of a career in international cricket on home soil and it will be another opportunity for him.
Before the Afghanistan series, however, Sooryavanshi could potentially feature in the Duleep Trophy final. His East Zone side has reached the title clash, which is scheduled to begin on September 6.
It is not clear whether the young batter will play in the Duleep Trophy final. Saikia said that the final decision will be made by India head coach Gautam Gambhir who will probably take into account the player's workload, preparation and upcoming international commitments.
The BCCI’s cautious approach speaks to the increasing importance of managing young athletes carefully. Early success can bring enormous attention and pressure, particularly in Indian cricket, where promising players often find themselves under intense public scrutiny.
By focusing on long-term development rather than immediate goals, the board hopes to provide a pathway for young people like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop gradually and build sustainable careers.
At present Sooryavanshi is one of the most closely watched young cricketers in India. With the BCCI, Gautam Gambhir and the Centre of Excellence monitoring his progress, his next few assignments could be a crucial step in what the board hopes will be a long and successful journey in Indian cricket.
