BCCI monitors Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's development to ensure long-term international career

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a long-term view of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's astonishing rise, with secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board is closely monitoring the 15-year-old and wants to ensure his early success translates into a long and distinguished international career. Sooryavanshi's rapid emergence was among the matters discussed at Thursday's high-level BCCI review meeting in Mumbai, which was attended by Saikia, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman and other senior officials. The teenager has already gone from being an IPL sensation to becoming India's youngest men's international debutant, and the BCCI is now determined to ensure that his development is handled carefully rather than allowing the weight of expectation to derail his progress. “We want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or any player of his stature to continue and serve like Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends,” Saikia said. “So we look at Vaibhav in a very serious manner. He's monitored from every angle and every step he is taking forward in his international career. The BCCI is taking a very close look at his future.

‘We don’t want a one-series or one-year wonder’

Saikia made it clear that the BCCI's objective is not simply to maximise Sooryavanshi's immediate impact but to build a career that can last for years. “You see, the BCCI can be proud that we are promoting a player of the age of 15 years who is already making his mark in the international scenario and we are very cautious that every right step he should take forward so that it should not be a one series or one year wonder,” he said. The comparison with Tendulkar was particularly significant. Like Sooryavanshi, Tendulkar was thrust into the international spotlight as a teenager before going on to enjoy one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of the game. The BCCI secretary stressed that Sooryavanshi's progress would be closely tracked at every stage. “We want Vaibhav's relevance, or any player of his stature, to continue 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 reason for optimism. He was India's youngest-ever men's international debutant 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 set an IPL record for a single season. He subsequently won several awards, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes honours. He also made an immediate impact for India against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches as India completed a 3-0 sweep and claimed his maiden Player of the Series award. His development has continued in domestic cricket. At 15 years and 157 days, he recently became the youngest batter to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history, breaking a record that had stood for 57 years.

Sooryavanshi part of bigger BCCI talent pool

Importantly, the 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 CoE. “That our selectors are looking, we have a huge number of upcoming players who are doing good. If you look at our U19 Indian team, they are becoming champions recently also. Similarly, in women's cricket also, we are world champions for the last two international U19 T20 World Cups,” he said. “So we are looking at all the players, not only Vaibhav's relevance, but there are about 10-15 players who are in our targeted group. Those are named in our targeted group list, and they are constantly monitored by our COE head, VVS Laxman, who is taking keen interest in their future and their training and skill development.”

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Laxman's direct involvement gives Sooryavanshi and the other youngsters access to the BCCI's central development structure as they make the difficult transition from age-group cricket to senior international cricket. The approach also reflects the board's desire to avoid rushing talented youngsters simply because of their early success.

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