BCCI Urged to Fast-Track Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Development Amid Fears of Stagnation

India’s cricket establishment has been urged to take proactive steps in managing the development of teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, amid concerns that prolonged exposure to lower-quality domestic cricket could hinder his long-term growth.

The 14-year-old Bihar opener has drawn global attention with a series of explosive performances, including a blistering 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Earlier this year, Suryavanshi also made headlines after smashing a record-breaking century for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, showcasing power and bat speed rarely seen at such a young age.

However, former India selector Devang Gandhi has warned that Suryavanshi’s current competitive environment may not be challenging enough to prepare him for the highest level. Bihar currently compete in the Plate group, where the quality of bowling attacks is significantly lower than elite domestic or international standards.

Speaking to the Times of India, Gandhi highlighted two major concerns. First, performances against weaker opposition do not give selectors a clear measure of how Suryavanshi would perform against top-quality bowlers. Second, consistent success at a lower level could lead to the formation of bad habits that would be difficult to correct later.

“As selectors, you will never take these records into account. The BCCI has to be proactive and create a parallel system for players like him,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi stressed that exposure to tough First-Class cricket is essential for Suryavanshi’s overall development, especially in red-ball formats that test technique, patience, and temperament. He warned that spending crucial formative years in low-intensity competitions could make the long hours Suryavanshi invests in domestic cricket “meaningless” if he is not consistently challenged.

Despite the concerns, Suryavanshi will continue representing Bihar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With expectations mounting that he could soon become a regular opener for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, experts believe structured intervention from the Board of Control for Cricket in India could be key to ensuring a smooth transition to senior international cricket.