‘Give him time’ - Kapil Dev urges patience despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has urged caution over the growing hype surrounding teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying expectations should remain measured despite the youngster’s rapid rise. Sooryavanshi was recently named in India’s T20I squads for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as for the Asian Games, selections that have generated considerable excitement across the cricketing world.

His inclusion in the national setup appeared inevitable after a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign. The young batter lit up the tournament, amassing 776 runs to claim the Orange Cap. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi’s immense potential, Kapil emphasised the importance of allowing the youngster time to develop without placing excessive pressure on him.

"He is a special talent, give him time, but he has definitely shown the talent he possesses. I think he is unbelievable, but again, he will have to conduct himself in the Indian team, keep himself fit, and many other things will follow. How focused he remains, only he can answer, but to me, he is a special talent... There is nothing wrong with giving respect to the young kid, but expecting too much at this stage would be wrong," Kapil said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has also urged fans and observers to temper expectations surrounding Sooryavanshi, stressing that the teenager is still only 15 years old and at a very early stage of his development. Currently, Sooryavanshi is in Sri Lanka with the India A squad for a tri-nation series that also features Afghanistan A.

Recognising the challenges that come with such a rapid rise, the board has reportedly made a special provision allowing his parents to accompany him on the tour of the United Kingdom, helping him adjust to unfamiliar conditions and settle into a new environment.

Despite his sensational IPL breakthrough, Sooryavanshi may have to be patient before making his international debut. India’s T20I opening positions are currently occupied by the well-established pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom played key roles in India’s successful ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign.