M ATCHING the speed of him scoring runs, comparisons with former greats have also started at the same pace for young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenager has taken the world of cricket by storm with sterling performances in initial games of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His attacking innings against Mumbai Indians Royal Challengers Bengaluru and his treatment of ace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood has been lapped up by cricket fans as they have started comparing him with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar when he debuted for India as a 16-year-old. Calls are now growing for fast-tracking Sooryavanshi in the Indian Twenty20 team with primary aim of making him the youngest Indian player to don the India cap.

 

It is a hasty proposal which needs serious thinking and a measured reaction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Sooryavanshi’s talent is exceptional, no doubt. He has the ability to devise two shots for a single ball as he judges the length pretty early. This quality is straight out of the Tendulkar playbook. The maestro was always a step ahead of the bowlers during his playing career. Similar approach is seen in Sooryavanshi’s batting which has led to comparisons between the two. To be frank, it is an unfair comparison which not only belittles Tendulkar’s legendary career but also puts unnecessary pressure on young Sooryavanshi. The way the southpaw has played in his short career at all levels, he was bound to attract attention.

 

He has already showed what he is capable of when his dazzling shots helped Indian Colts win the Under-19 World Cup in this edition. In age group tournaments, Sooryavanshi had been giving a spectacular display of his hitting prowess which made him an automatic choice for the franchisee-based league. The magic has started to mesmerise the entire cricketing world now with the world-wide broadcast and fandom of the IPL. Yet, there is still time for the young lad to climb the next grade for a simple reason that rushing him into the senior team has to be a gradual process after the initial euphoria settles down.

 

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble has wisely advised the BCCI to exercise caution. Kumble feels Sooryavanshi’s journey should not be rushed despite his exceptional talent. While the talent cannot be denied, the talk of making India debut in two months would affect the youngster’s game as it would be a different pressure. The 15-year-old has shown on the cricket field that he does not care for reputations nor feels the pressure of the occasion. It will hold him in good stead in the early days and provide him the way ahead in career. However, the off-the-field pressure can be a double-edged sword for Sooryavanshi. Kumble has rightly pointed out the pitfalls of putting advance pressure of an India debut on the young man. Instead, the Rajasthan Royals opener should be allowed to enjoy his first IPL without any pressure. A call can be taken about his future in due course of time. The greenhorn needs time to grow. Let us give it to him.