Former India head coach believes it will take some time to make a proper judgement of Suryavanshi’s batting
After smashing a blistering 101 off just 35 balls in Rajasthan Royals’ emphatic win over Gujarat Titans, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has stunned the cricketing world. His century is now the second-fastest in IPL history—behind only Chris Gayle’s 30-ball feat—and makes him the youngest ever to score a T20 hundred. Suryavanshi’s incredible innings, laced with 7 fours and 11 sixes, also broke the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball hundred. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, while praising the teen’s talent, emphasized the importance of mental strength and resilience going forward. “He’s young, let him enjoy the game. But how he handles failure will define his future, as bowlers will adapt and test him,” said Shastri on The ICC Review. Suryavanshi also shattered Vijay Zol’s record as the youngest IPL centurion, reaching the milestone at just 14 years and 32 days. As the cricketing world watches in awe, the spotlight is now on how this prodigy navigates the pressures of fame and form.
Shastri further cautioned that opposition bowlers will quickly adapt, with one likely strategy being a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. “There’ll be lots of short stuff thrown at him the next time he comes out to bat because when you tonk someone’s first ball for six, then you show no mercy,” he said. “You don’t care whether he’s 14 years old or 12 or 20. The menu is the same that you dish out. So, he’ll have to get used to that—and once we see him handling that, then you can make a proper judgement.”
Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey also heaped praise on the teenage sensation, drawing parallels between Suryavanshi and legendary wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist. “We felt this in Australia when Adam Gilchrist walked out to bat—the whole team would come into the viewing area, sit there and watch the game, because they’re just so exciting,” said Hussey, who currently serves as Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach. “I felt the same watching this young kid last night.”
