"One area we want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to improve is his overall fitness": VVS Laxman
Harare, July 27
Stand-in India head coach VVS Laxman believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must continue improving his fitness to unlock his full potential and take his game to the next level.
Sooryavanshi showcased his immense talent with a scintillating 81 off 49 balls in India's 35-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday.
His match-winning knock helped him finish as the series' leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three matches, earning him his maiden Player of the Series award.
His efforts with the bat in Zimbabwe come on the back of a standout performance for India at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup at the start of the year, showcasing the full capabilities the 15-year-old has at his disposal with hints of what the future may hold for the hard-hitting left-hander.
And while the cricketing world has already been in awe of Sooryavanshi's effort with the bat thus far, Laxman has pinpointed one area the teenager must work on if he wants to continue his journey on an upward trend.
"The one area we want him to improve is his overall fitness," Laxman said as per the ICC website.
"He's a very young boy. He himself wants to get better in every aspect of the game. Even today, when he got injured (while attempting a diving catch running in from deep square leg), he still wanted to stay on the field. It was our physio who asked him to come off. That's the eagerness and earnestness he has to contribute in every possible way to the team,' he added.
Laxman has played a key role in Sooryavanshi's rapid rise, having overseen India's triumphant Under-19 World Cup campaign earlier this year in his capacity as the BCCI's Head of Cricket. The teenage prodigy starred with the bat, amassing 439 runs to finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer and earn the Player of the Tournament award.
That stellar campaign marked another milestone in Sooryavanshi's remarkable ascent, which has also featured a string of commanding performances for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League over the past two seasons.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I agree with Laxman. Talent is there, but international cricket demands high fitness levels. Hope the BCCI supports him with proper training. He's already doing well in IPL for RR, so the future looks bright! 🏏✨
Impressive performance from the kid! Scoring 151 in the series and starring in the U19 World Cup is no joke. Fitness is key for longevity—just look at how many young talents fade away. Proper guidance and he'll be unstoppable.
Saala, 15 saal ka bachcha Zimbabwe mein 81 runs maar raha hai! 😲 Fitness pe kaam karega toh aur dangerous banega. Laxman's guidance has been gold—from U19 WC to now. Just hope selectors don't rush him into senior cricket too soon.
It's refreshing to see a coach like Laxman focusing on overall development rather than just runs. Fitness is often neglected in Indian cricket at young ages. Hope Vaibhav takes this advice seriously—he has the potential to be the next big thing! 🏏👏
Great performance, but I hope the hype doesn't get to him. Many young Indian players have faded after early success. Laxman's advice on fitness shows he's thinking long-term, which is good. Let him develop naturally—he's got the talent! 🔥
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