Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Scores 81 Off 49 Balls, VVS Laxman Reveals What He Must Improve Next
Stand-in India head coach VVS Laxman believes young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has all the talent to reach greater heights but needs to continue improving his fitness to take his game to the next level.
The 15-year-old left-handed batter delivered a stunning performance in India's 35-run victory over Zimbabwe, scoring a brilliant 81 runs off just 49 balls. His match-winning knock helped him finish the three-match series with 151 runs and earn his first Player of the Series award.
Sooryavanshi's impressive display in Zimbabwe came after his breakthrough performance at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he showcased his explosive batting skills and emerged as one of India's brightest young talents.
While cricket fans and experts have praised his fearless batting approach, Laxman believes that improving his overall fitness will be crucial for the teenager's long-term success.
"The one area we want him to improve is his overall fitness," Laxman said.
"He is a very young player and he himself wants to improve in every aspect of the game. Even today, when he got injured while attempting a diving catch, he wanted to continue playing. It was our physio who asked him to leave the field. That shows his commitment and desire to contribute to the team in every possible way."
Laxman has already played an important role in Sooryavanshi's development. As BCCI's Head of Cricket, he was associated with India's victorious Under-19 World Cup campaign, where Sooryavanshi scored 439 runs and was named Player of the Tournament.
The youngster's rapid rise has also been highlighted by his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Rajasthan Royals over the last two seasons.
Although his first senior international series did not produce big scores—with returns of 14, 13, and 15 against England—Laxman believes Sooryavanshi's career is progressing exactly as expected.
"His career has been on expected lines. Even last year, when he played for Rajasthan Royals for the first time, the way he handled pressure was impressive," Laxman said.
"An IPL match is equivalent to an international game. At 14 or 15 years of age, playing in the IPL can be overwhelming, but he chose to embrace the pressure. That shows his mindset."
Laxman added that Sooryavanshi has a long career ahead and has the potential to achieve remarkable milestones in international cricket.
"He was disappointed after missing out on a hundred, but we told him that this will not be his only opportunity. He has a long career ahead, and his attitude and hunger to improve every day will help him progress. He has the potential and ability to break records at the international level," Laxman said.
For Sooryavanshi, the journey so far has been nothing short of a dream. The young batter expressed happiness after receiving his first Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
"Yes, it's truly a dream come true moment. Getting my first Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards makes me very happy," Sooryavanshi said.
He also credited the team's support and preparation for his success, adding that playing at the Harare venue brought back positive memories from the Under-19 World Cup.
"Everyone backed me—the captain, coaches, and the entire team. I am very happy," he said.
With immense talent, a strong mindset, and guidance from experienced figures like Laxman, Sooryavanshi appears set for an exciting journey in Indian cricket.
