Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s BCCI grand plan: ‘Serve like Sachin Tendulkar, not be a one-year wonder’ | Cricket news
New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (Bank of Credit and Commerce International) takes a long-term look at Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s astonishing rise, with secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board is keeping a close eye on the 15-year-old and wants to ensure that his early success translates into a long and distinguished international career.Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise was among the matters discussed at Thursday’s high-level BCCI review meeting in Mumbai, which was attended by Saikia and the India Test and ODI captain. Shubman GillT20I Captain Shreyas Iyer, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, Head of Center of Excellence (CoE) Laxman Plumbing And other senior officials.The teenager has already transformed his being IPL He has become the youngest Indian player to make his international debut, and BCCI is now determined to ensure that his development is handled carefully rather than allowing the weight of expectations to derail his progress.“We want Vaibhav Suryavanshi or any player to continue in his position and serve like him Sachin Tendulkar “We did it for the country or other players who in the past became legends,” Saikia said.“So we are looking at Vaibhav in a very serious way. He is being watched from every angle and every step he takes forward in his international career. BCCI is taking a hard look at his future.”
“We don’t want a one-off series or a one-year wonder.”
Saikia explained that the BCCI’s goal is not just to maximize Suryavanshi’s immediate impact, but to build a career that can last for years.“As you can see, BCCI can be proud that we are promoting a 15-year-old player who has already made his mark on the international scene and we are very careful that every right step he takes forward is not a one-series or one-year wonder,” he said.The comparison with Tendulkar was of particular interest. Like Sooryavanshi, Tendulkar was thrust into the international spotlight as a teenager before enjoying one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of the game.The BCCI Secretary stressed that Sooryavanshi’s progress will be closely monitored at every stage.“We want Vaibhav, or any player of his stature, to continue to be important and serve as Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends,” Saikia said.The teenager’s rapid rise has given the board plenty of reasons for optimism. He was India’s youngest ever international after earning his maiden call-up following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals.Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.30, including a century and five fifties, while his 72 sixes is an IPL record for a single season. He subsequently won numerous awards, including the Orange Cap Award, Most Valuable Player Award, Emerging Player Award, Super Striker Award, and Super Sixes Award.He also made an immediate impact for India against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches as India completed a 3-0 sweep and was awarded the Player of the Series award.His development in domestic cricket continued. At 15 years and 157 days, he recently became the youngest batsman to score a half-century in the history of the Duleep Trophy, breaking a record that had stood for 57 years.
Sooryavanshi is part of Akbar BCCI talent pool
Importantly, BCCI’s focus is not limited to Sooryavanshi. Saikia revealed that the board has identified a larger group of emerging players who are being monitored through the Center of Excellence.“What our selection team is looking for is that we have a large number of players coming through who are doing well. If you look at our Indian U-19 team, they have recently become champions as well. Likewise, in women’s cricket as well, we are world champions in the last two international editions of the Under-19 and T20 World Cups.“So we are looking at all the players, and not just how important Vaibhav is, but there are about 10-15 players in our target group. These have been included in our target group list, and are constantly monitored by our Center of Excellence Head, VVS Laxman, who is keenly interested in their future, training and skill development.”Laxman’s direct involvement gives Sooryavanshi and other youngsters access to BCCI’s central development structure as they make the difficult transition from age-group cricket to senior international cricket.This approach also reflects the Board’s desire to avoid rushing in to talented young people simply because of their early success.
