Virender Sehwag, a former cricketer for India, reminded rising Rajasthan Royals (RR) player Vaibhav Suryavanshi to stay grounded following an exciting start to his Indian Premier League (IPL) career. During the recent defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Jaipur, the left-handed opener lit the stage on fire with a first-ball six off Shardul Thakur.
Sanju Samson, the captain, suffered an unexpected injury, which accelerated Suryavanshi into the RR playing XI. With his 20-ball 34 on debut, the 14-year-old made a huge impression. He also showed encouraging signs during his cameo against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Before being sent out by a slower delivery, he hit two huge sixes off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
At the big auction, RR placed the winning price of INR 1.10 crore, making Suryavanshi the competition’s youngest acquisition ever.
Virender Sehwag wishes that Suryavanshi won’t let money and the fleeting sense of achievement distract him.
“If you step out knowing that you will get praised for doing well, and criticized for not doing well, you will remain grounded. I have seen many players who come, get fame from one or two matches, then they do not do anything, because they think that they have become a star player,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
“Suryavanshi must aim for playing 20 years in the IPL. Look at Virat Kohli, he started playing when he was 19 years old, now he has played all 18 seasons. That is what he should be trying to emulate. But, if If he is happy with this IPL, thinking that he is now a crorepati, had a great debut, hit a six off the first ball, maybe we won’t see him next year,” he added.
In two games, Suryavanshi has amassed 50 runs at a strike rate of 156.25. He has already hit five sixes, even though he has only faced 32 deliveries thus far.
Suryavanshi may get more games under his belt with no clear update on Samson’s return
RR stand-in skipper Riyan Parag revealed during the toss versus RCB that Samson is recovering from a tear, but no update has been provided. Given that the wicket-keeper batsman has already missed two games for RR and may be sidelined for the upcoming games, Suryavanshi will have enough opportunities to make an impact.
On Monday, April 28, RR will play the Gujarat Titans (GT) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The original champions are currently ranked eighth in the standings after suffering a five-game losing streak.
