Rahul Dravid urges Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop red-ball game

Rahul Dravid has urged patience with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and stressed the need for him to develop his red-ball game alongside white-ball exploits. Dravid believes players like Sooryavanshi are essential for Test cricket to grow and remain competitive.

Sooryavanshi will combine batting duties with vice-captaincy responsibilities when East Zone begin their Duleep Trophy campaign against North East Zone in Bengaluru. The teenager scored 776 runs in 16 IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals earlier this year and earned Player of the Series honours during India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe.

Dravid noted that Sooryavanshi has not played extensive red-ball cricket and requires balanced development across formats to fulfil his potential at the highest level.