Ex-selector Devang Gandhi urged the BCCI to closely monitor young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s development amid his recent impressive performances. Gandhi said that his current form may not help selectors assess his ability to handle stronger bowling and added that continued success could lead to bad habits.
Suryavanshi has shown remarkable power and bat speed in age-group cricket and the IPL. The Bihar opener recently smashed a stunning 190 from just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh. He reached his century in just 36 balls and missed out on a double century by a small margin against a hapless bowling attack.
BCCI Has to Be Proactive – Devang Gandhi on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Speaking to the Times of India, Devang Gandhi raised concerns about Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Gandhi stated that the youngster’s current performances do not show how he would cope against high-quality bowling. He urged the BCCI to take a more active role in grooming young talent.
“As selectors, you will never take these records into account,” said Gandhi. “BCCI has to be proactive. It has to create a parallel system for talented players like Suryavanshi coming from these states.”
“For Suryavanshi’s growth, he needs to play tough First-Class cricket. At the moment, he is only playing white-ball cricket. BCCI will have to find a way where Suryavanshi has exposure to top-class red-ball cricket,” he added.
It Shouldn’t Be the Case – Devang Gandhi on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Devang Gandhi cautioned against letting Vaibhav Suryavanshi spend too much time at a level of cricket that will not help him. Gandhi added that Suryavanshi needs regular challenges to keep improving. He said that facing tougher competition and being forced to adapt is the best way for him to develop.
“It shouldn’t be the case where the hours he is putting in domestic cricket are becoming meaningless. At his age, bad habits in the game can creep in easily if he is exposed to poor quality cricket for a long time,” concluded Gandhi.
Suryavanshi will continue representing Bihar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is likely to be the first-choice opener for Rajasthan Royals (RR). The southpaw will be keen to use his domestic outings to prepare himself for senior-level challenges, as he looks to adapt his game to higher-quality competition.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Shines Across Domestic Cricket and IPL Debut Season
In the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 197 runs from six matches at an average of 39.40 and a strike rate of 168.37. In the U-19 Asia Cup 2025, he smashed 261 runs in five matches at an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 182.51, including one century and one half-century.
Suryavanshi made a strong statement in his debut IPL season with Rajasthan Royals. He scored 252 runs in seven matches at an average of 36 and an explosive strike rate of 206.55, including one century and one half-century.
The southpaw smashed 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT), including seven fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 265.78. Rajasthan Royals chased down a 210-run target in 15.5 overs. He also took on international-quality bowlers like Rashid Khan and Ishant Sharma, among others.
