Rahul Dravid doesn’t want microscopic attention on 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi following his path-breaking hundred in the IPL but having said that, the Rajasthan Royals head coach knows it is something that he can’t control. Having received a barrage of questions on Suryavanshi in the Star Sports Press Room on Wednesday, Dravid realised that the cricketing world will not be leaving the talented teenager alone from now onwards. The Bihar teen will have to find a way to handle this overnight stardom, he said.
In the interaction, the former India head coach also touched upon Suryavanshi’s special skills that make him a formidable T20 batter at such a young age before adding that he remains very much a work in progress.
“I think it won’t be possible to completely sort of avoid him from the experience that is around him. I can’t control what people are talking about him. I have come to this interaction and all I have heard is questions about Vaibhav,” said Dravid when asked about protecting the youngster from the hysteria around him.
“It is going to be challenging for him but it is exciting at the same time. I would love to say that we should not shower him with that much attention. Maybe I am being naive as that it is not going to happen.
“Recognising that it happens and putting a certain level of support around that and navigate that attention and allow him space to be a youngster. It is part of being a cricketer in this country, it is impossible to distance yourself from and (you tend to get) sucked into it.”
Amazed by his quick judgement of length and fearlessness
As the India U-19 coach, Dravid nurtured the likes of Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal and many more exciting talents. Asked about Suryavanshi, Dravid explained what makes him special.
“For me it is really the ability to have that level of fearlessness and not get fazed by the occasion. You don’t get to see that with people that young. The range of shots he showed.
“He is only going to get better. Nobody is saying that he is a finished article. No one should rush to call him somebody he is not. Teams will be smarter against him. T20 format is such where he will have games where it will not work out,” he cautioned.
Suryavanshi’s six-hitting ability also stands out. He cleared the ropes 11 times in his 35-ball hundred against a potent Gujarat Titans attack.
“What gives him power is a good bat speed, high backlift, hand-eye coordination. His judgment of length is something that has amazed me, whether it is fractionally short or full, he can capitalise on that. His natural strength is helpful in this situation,” said the Indian great.
A video clip of Suryavanshi was shown during the interaction where he was seen praising Dravid for making him a better cricketer over the past three months. The moment the footage ended, Dravid played down the role played by him in his rise.
“The biggest credit goes to him. It would be wrong of me to take credit for him. He has come through a system (having played first class and India U19.
“His father has been supportive. Here in Rajasthan Royals, so many people have been involved…he will be asked Dravid questions and he has to give a diplomatic answer,” the former India captain said with a smile.
“We try to keep it simple with him. For us, it is important that he plays the kind of cricket he enjoys playing…It is pretty obvious he likes to play attacking brand of cricket. We picked him not keeping his age in mind, we were convinced of his talent,” he added.
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