NEW DELHI: Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag has issued a strong piece of advice to 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who’s quickly become one of the most talked-about talents in this season’s IPL.
In a recent appearance on Cricbuzz, Sehwag didn’t hold back. “If you step out knowing that you will get praised for doing well and criticised for not doing well, you will remain grounded,” he said.
“I have seen many players who come, get fame from one or two matches, then they do not do anything, because they think that they have become a star player.”
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Suryavanshi, who made history by becoming the youngest ever to get an IPL contract at Rs 1.1 crore, has already shown promise, smashing two sixes in his debut and scoring 50 runs at a strike rate of 156.25 in two matches.
But Sehwag warned that this is just the beginning.
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“Look at Virat Kohli. He started at 19 and has now played all 18 IPL seasons,” Sehwag pointed out. “That’s what Vaibhav should aim for. But if he thinks he’s made it just because he hit a six off his first ball and earned a crore, he might not be around next season.”
Suryavanshi’s Royals fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, despite a blazing 52-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal. RCB, powered by half-centuries from Virat Kohli (70 off 42) and Devdutt Padikkal (50 off 27), posted 205/5 and held the Royals to 194/9.
Kohli’s performance has pushed him to second in the season’s top run-scorers list, another sign of the long-term consistency Sehwag was referring to.
The message from Sehwag is clear: talent can open the door, but staying power is built over years.
