Vaibhav Suryavanshi has emerged as the breakout star of IPL 2025. The 14-year-old prodigy stunned the cricketing world with a blistering 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans (GT), instantly becoming a household name. But while the cricketing universe is abuzz with talk of the teenage sensation, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and head coach Rahul Dravid are quietly working behind the scenes to ensure that the meteoric rise doesn’t become a burden.
Speaking at the Star Sports Press Room, Dravid explained how RR had been intentional about building a nurturing and supportive environment for Suryavanshi, even before the tournament began.
“He’s been very welcomed,” Dravid said. “From the moment we picked him up, we made a conscious effort to integrate him into the setup. Even before the IPL, we organised short-duration camps each month. Vaibhav attended every one of them — not just to train, but to build familiarity with the players and the support staff.”
According to Dravid, the goal was simple: make him feel like he belongs, so that the spotlight of professional cricket wouldn’t feel overwhelming. “By the time the tournament started, we didn’t want him walking into a dressing room of strangers. We made sure he knew everyone — the Indian core, the coaching staff, the management. Only the overseas players were new to him.”
Despite his age and naturally shy personality, Suryavanshi has displayed surprising maturity. “He is quiet, yes,” Dravid acknowledged. “But he’s not overawed. He’s bonding well with guys like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Sanju Samson. He’s also had meaningful interactions with experienced campaigners like Sandeep Sharma and Fazalhaq Farooqi. There’s genuine camaraderie.”
Keeping It Simple: “Let Him Enjoy His Cricket”
Dravid stressed that RR’s approach with Suryavanshi is one of light-touch guidance, not micromanagement.
“At this stage, we don’t want to overload him with advice or complicate his game. The key is to let him have fun, express himself, and enjoy playing. He’s got a naturally aggressive game, and our job is to create an environment where he can continue that without worrying about failure.”
Dravid’s coaching philosophy, rooted in simplicity and player-centric development, is evident in how the franchise is handling the prodigy’s early success.
“He’s a naturally gifted striker of the ball,” Dravid explained. “He has tremendous bat speed, a high backlift, and most importantly, elite hand-eye coordination. What sets him apart is how quickly he picks up length. Anything fractionally short or overpitched — he’s on it in a flash. That allows him to hit with power without overexerting.”
Talent Meets Trust
Suryavanshi’s rise has also sparked broader conversations about age versus readiness in cricket. At just 14, he’s competing — and thriving — in the toughest T20 league in the world. But Dravid insists that RR’s decision to invest in him wasn’t based solely on youth.
“We didn’t pick him just because he’s young. It’s about potential and readiness. In the same breath, we’ve also backed players like Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, and Shubham Dubey, who’ve come in later in their careers. It’s about looking at what someone can do, not just how old they are.”
Dravid emphasized that the franchise sees long-term potential in Suryavanshi but is conscious of not pushing too much too soon.
Handling Hype with Sensitivity
With growing fame comes inevitable media attention and public scrutiny — something that can be especially overwhelming for a teenager. Dravid acknowledged this challenge and made a thoughtful plea for responsible coverage.
“We can’t control how much people are going to talk about him or what the media writes. What we can do is support him internally, help him navigate all of this. But the external world — including the media — has a role too. Let’s be responsible in how we frame both his successes and his failures. He’s going to have good days and bad. That’s part of growing up.”
He added, “There’s no way to shield him completely. But we can surround him with the right voices, not rush the process, and remind him — and everyone — that he’s still just a kid who loves the game.”
Looking Ahead
Suryavanshi’s arrival has injected fresh energy into Rajasthan Royals’ campaign, offering not just runs but hope for the future. He’s a reminder of the untapped talent pool that exists in India and how, with the right support systems, raw potential can quickly turn into performance.
As RR continue their IPL 2025 journey, fans will undoubtedly expect more fireworks from the young dynamo. But thanks to Rahul Dravid’s grounded leadership and a nurturing team culture, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is being given the one thing every child prodigy deserves — the space to grow, make mistakes, and enjoy the game.
